A sensitive and rapid method for the estimation of trace levels of ind
ium in alumina supported catalysts using square wave voltammetry (SWV)
is discussed. The SWV method for indium in the alumina matrix is stan
dardized using synthetic samples and good recoveries were obtained. Ca
libration graphs are linear in the range 1-5 mug/ml and the detection
limit is 3.57 x 10(-8) g/ml. In order to determine the accuracy of the
proposed method, the results obtained have been compared with those g
iven by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Statistical analysi
s shows no significant bias between the two methods. This technique is
found suitable for the estimation of indium in the range 0.1-1.0% (w/
w) in the catalyst samples with an RSD < 1.5%.