A NEW POLAROGRAPHIC ADSORPTIVE CATALYTIC WAVE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF TRACE TELLURIUM IN SMOG DUST AND WHEAT-FLOUR

Linear-sweep polarography of tellurium in sulfuric acid solution conta ining methylene blue produces a wave at -0.82 V (vs SCE). In a cathodi c sweep, the derivative peak current is directly proportional to the c oncentration of tellurium over the range 4 x 10(-9) to 1 x 10(-7) g/ml , and the detection limit is 2 x 10(-9) g/ml. The polarographic wave i s an adsorptive catalytic hydrogen wave. This method has been applied to the determination of trace amounts of tellurium in smog dust and wh eat flour, with satisfactory results. (C) 1997 Academic Press.