Flow injection determination of p-aminophenol at trace level using inhibited luminol-dimethylsulfoxide-NaOH-EDTA chemiluminescence

A novel flow injection procedure was developed for the determination of p-aminophenol (PAP) based on the inhibition by PAP of the chemiluminescence from luminol dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-NaOH-EDTA system. The method has merits of higher sensitivity, wider linear range, simpler procedure, and a more rapid analyzing speed. It is applicable for the determination of PAP in the range of 2.5 x 10(-10)-5.0 x 10(-8) g mL(-1) with a detection limit of 1.9 X 10(-10) gmL(-1). The relative standard deviation (RSD) for 5.0 x 10(-9) gmL(-1) PAP is 0.78% (n = 15). The method has been successfully used to determine PAP in industrial wastewaters and environmental waters. Additionally, the inhibition mechanism was also discussed briefly. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.