DIFFERENTIAL-PULSE VOLTAMMETRIC ESTIMATION OF RHENIUM IN CATALYSTS AND PROCESS SOLUTIONS

Differential pulse voltammetry has been used for monitoring sub-ppm le vels of rhenium in petrochemicals processing catalysts solutions. The catalytic effect of perrhenate on the reduction peak of tellurium is u sed as the basis for the method. Re is quantitated in the range 20-100 ng/mL. Potential interferences from coexisting elements are explored. The precision and accuracy of the method is tt,lcd by comparing with spectrophotometry and recovery experiments. The method is found suitab le for the estimation of rhenium in catalyst samples as well as in pla tinum recovery baths (rsd <2%).