Analytical method for the determination of traces of germanium in organic and inorganic matrix by differential pulse polarographic techniques was studied.
The reduction peak of germanium(iv) in perchloric acid solution containing 1,2,3-trihydroxy benzene appeared at -0.45 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and the peak height for germanium varied linearly with concentration.
Factors affecting sensitivity and precision for germanium were studied and detection limit under the investigated parameters was 1 ng/ml.
Organic samples were decomposed by combustion in a calorimeter bomb using oxygen pressure of 40 atm and inorganic samples were decomposed by fusion with potassium pyrosulfate.
The serious interferences of Se(IV), Pb(II), As(III) for the determination of germanium were discussed. Interferences of this elements could be avoided by separation with anion exchange column. Interferences of this elements could also be avoided by extraction of germanium from digested matrices by $CCl_4$ in 10M HCl solution. Recommended separation method for the determination of germanium in inorganic samples was extraction of $GeCl_4$ by carbontetrachloride from 10M HCl solution, but germanium in biomaterial samples could be separated by the above both methods.
The germanium contents of biomaterial samples (red ginseng, soy beans, ginger, pollen) and inorganic samples (Pb bf. dust, Cu bf. dust, gneiss, Cu anode slime) were determined in the above method.
The results of this work were expected to contribute to standardization for determinations of germanium at trace levels.
