Electrochemical Analysis of Beryllium Using DC Polarography and Differential Pulse Polarography in an Oxalic Acid Medium

Abstract

To see how beryllium acts in an electric field, we employed direct current (DC) polarography and differential pulse polarography (DPP) with a falling mercury electrode. Oxalic acid was employed to keep beryllium ions stable and stop hydrolytic interferences. The effects of supporting electrolyte, oxalic acid concentration, pH, beryllium concentration, and mercury column height were systematically studied. When the conditions were just right (0.08 M oxalic acid, pH 2.7), beryllium showed a definite reduction wave with a half-wave potential of -1.92 V compared to a saturated calomel electrode (SCE). Differential pulse polarography showed higher sensitivity, which was shown by a clear peak at -1.86 V. The linear correlation between diffusion, peak currents, and concentration indicates that the electrode process is controlled by diffusion. The method that was created worked well on samples of mining waste, showing that it was very selective and reliable for analysis.