Simple, responsive and cost effective simultaneous quantification of Ga(III) and In(III) in environmental water samples

The simultaneous determination of Ga(III) and In(III) in environmental water samples was described. The procedure was based on adsorptive stripping voltammetry using an in situ plated bismuth film electrode as a working electrode. In order to obtain low detection limits and satisfactory separations of gallium and indium peaks on the voltammogram, cupferron was used as a complexing agent. The optimum composition of the supporting electrolyte was found to be: 0.1 mol l-1 acetate buffer (pH=5.0), 2 × 10-4 mol l-1 cupferron, 2 × 10-4 mol l-1 Bi(III), optimal voltammetric parameters were found to be: accumulation potential -0.9 V, accumulation time 60 s. The linear range of Ga(III) as well as In(III) was observed over a concentration range from 2.5 × 10-8 mol l-1 to 1.5 × 10-6 mol l-1. The method was satisfactorily applied to the simultaneous quantification of gallium and indium in environmental water samples. This facilitated a promising application of the recommended procedure for monitoring the environment, which is necessary to evaluate the soil-plant system.