In certain supporting electrolytes, pyrocatechol violet (PV) may be reduced at single-sweep polarograph and a well-defined wave can be observed. The height of this wave decreases when Gd3+ is added into the solution and a sharp-peaked new wave is observed at more negative potentials. The height of this new wave is proportional to the concentration of gadolinium added. NH4Cl-(CH2)6N4 mixture (pH 5.5) was chosen as the suitable supporting electrolyte, in which the new wave of the Gd3+-PV complex is higher and the difference of peak potentials between PV and complex is larger. The linear relationship between wave height and concentration of Gd3+ holds in the range of 1X10-6-2X10-5 M. In this system other rare earth elements exhibit similar wave peaks. This wave has been proved to be an adsorptive-complex wave by several experiments.

Key words: OSCILLOSCOPIC POLAROGRAPHY, ADSORPTION, POLAROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS, RARE ELEMENT, ELECTROCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, CATECHUL VIOLET, GADOLINIUM COMPLEX