Determination of Poisonous Trace Element Thallium(I) by Kinetic Catalytic Reaction

Abstract

A effective and simple determination of poisonous trace element thallium(I) by means of kinetic catalytic reaction is proposed. The method is based on a catalytic effect of thallium(I) on a luminol-hydrogen peroxide system. Three different kinds of surfactants, cetrimonium bromide (CTMAB), sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), and Tween-80, are also investigated to improve the detection sensitivity. In optimum conditions, a highly selective and sensitive method for detecting trace thallium(I) has been established. The detection limit is 0.0073 µg · mL⁻¹, the relative standard deviation for six determinations of 0.04 µg · mL⁻¹ thallium(I) is less than 4.0%, and the linear range of determination is 0.02–0.1 µg · mL⁻¹.

Keywords:

• Kinetic catalytic reaction
• luminol
• thallium