Determination of trace aluminum (III) using a novel cerium (IV)-calcein chemiluminescence detection

A simple, sensitive and selective chemiluminescence (CL) method was developed for the direct determination of aluminum (Al). This method is based on that the weak CL of cerium (IV)-calcein can be greatly enhanced by Al(III). The calibration curve was linear over the range 2.0 x 10(-10) to 4.0 x 10(-8)g mL(-1) with a detection limit of 8 x 10(-11)g mL(-1) (3sigma). The R.S.D. was 2.5% by 11 replicated determinations of 1.0 x 10(-9)g mL(-1) Al(III). The proposed method has been used to determine the concentration of Al(III) in real water samples with satisfactory results. The mechanism of the CL reaction was also discussed.