Application of stripping voltammetry at a static mercury drop electrode for the determination of aluminium and iron in Portland cement

Adsorptive stripping voltammetry for the determination of Al(III) and Fe(III) in Portland cement has been employed. The complex of iron with acetate, and the chelate of aluminium with morin are adsorbed onto the static mercury drop electrode, and then the reduction current of the accumulated chelate is measured by scanning the potential in the cathodic direction. The adsorption and redox behaviour are explored by cyclic voltammetry. Optimum experimental conditions evaluated include: preconcentration potential, solution pH, scan mode and preconcentration time. Confirmation of the chelation is assessed using different methods of analysis on the solid complex viz. IR, NMR, Elemental Analysis and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis. The method has been applied to Portland cement and results are compared with standard samples to confirm the suitability of the proposed method.