Evaluation of V, Ir, Ru, V-Ir, V-Ru, and W-V as permanent chemical modifiers for the determination of cadmium, lead, and zinc in botanic and biological slurries by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Permanent modifiers (V, Ir, Ru, V-Ir, V-Ru, and W-V) thermally coated on to platforms of pyrolytic graphite tubes were employed for the determination of Cd, Pb, and Zn in botanic and biological slurries by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Conventional Pd + Mg(NO₃)₂ modifier mixture was also used for the determination of analytes in slurries and digested samples. Optimum masses and mass ratios of permanent modifiers for Cd, Pb, and Zn in slurry sample solutions were investigated. The 280 μg of V, 280 μg of V + 200 μg of Ir, 280 μg of V + 200 μg of Ru or 240 μg of W + 280 μg of V in 0.2% (v/v) Triton X-100 plus 0.5% (v/v) HNO₃ mixture was found as efficient as 5 μg of Pd + 3 μg of Mg(NO₃)₂ modifier mixture for obtaining thermal stabilization, and for obtaining best recoveries. Optimization conditions of analytes, such as pyrolysis and atomization temperature, characteristic masses and detection limits, and atomization and background peak profiles were studied with permanent and 5 μg of Pd + 3 μg of Mg(NO₃)₂ conventional modifiers and compared with each other. The permanent V-Ir, V-Ru, and W-V modifiers remained stable for approximately 250-300 firings when 20 μl of slurries and digested samples were delivered into the atomizer. In addition, the mixed permanent modifiers increase the tube lifetime by 50-95% when compared with untreated platforms. The characteristic masses and detection limits of analytes (dilution factor of 125 ml g⁻¹) obtained with V-Ir based on integrated absorbance as example for 0.8% (m/v) slurries were 1.0 pg and 3 ng g⁻¹ for Cd, 18 pg and 17 ng g⁻¹ for Pb, and 0.7 pg and 4 ng g⁻¹ for Zn, respectively. The results of analytes obtained by employing V-Ir, V-Ru, and W-V permanent modifier mixtures in botanic and biological certified and standard reference materials were in agreement with the certified values of reference materials.     

Slurry sampling for determination of lead in marine plankton by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A slurry sampling method has been developed for the determination of Pb in marine plankton by ETAAS using a freshwater plankton certified reference material (CRM 414). Slurries were prepared in 1–3% m/v range with 1% v/v HNO₃ by ultrasonic agitation for 5 min. The effects of several chemical modifiers, including Ir(NO₃)₂, Mg(NO₃)₂, Pd(NO₃)₂, Pd(NO₃)₂ + Mg(NO₃)₂, and Mg(NO₃)₂ + NH₄H₂PO₄, were investigated for the stabilization of Pb during thermal pretreatment. Lead in slurries was effectively stabilized up to 1000 °C with Ir, Pd and Pd + Mg modifiers among which Pd + Mg provided the best results with complete atomization at 1850 °C. Firings in the presence of Ir were, problematic due to ash formation inside the atomizer. Water, dilute HNO₃ and HF were examined as suspension medium. Dilute HNO₃ (1–2% v/v) proved to be advantageous over water as it afforded extraction of Pb from plankton almost quantitatively in 5 min agitation. Hydrofluoric acid was the least suitable medium. Increasing HF concentration up to 5% v/v resulted in inaccuracy and substantial background absorption. Fast-heating furnace method provided comparable accuracy and precision to that of conventional-heating in slurries of CRM 414. Detection limits and characteristic masses were, respectively, 0.49 μg L^− 1 and 32 pg for the conventional method and 0.62 μg L^− 1 and 37 pg for the fast-heating method. However, fast-heating approach suffered from distorted peaks at high temperatures and incomplete pyrolysis of matrix at lower temperatures. Analysis of marine plankton samples for Pb was performed by using the conventional furnace program. The results showed a high correlation with those obtained by solution ICP-MS. Differences were statistically insignificant within 95% confidence interval.     

Study of Some Tungsten-Containing Chemical Modifiers in Graphite-Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

Several chemical modifiers based on tungsten have been evaluated: the individual modifiers W(VI) as WO₃ in aq. 0.2 M NH₃ and W(V) as W in H₂O₂ and the mixed modifiers W(VI)/NH₃ + Pd(II), W(V)/H₂O₂ + Pd(II), and W(V)/H₂O₂ + PO₄ ^3-. High efficiency of thermal stabilization for 18 analyte elements of high and moderate volatility has been demonstrated and possible mechanisms of stabilization are discussed.     

2,5-Dihydroxyacetophenone oxime as an analytical reagent for the amperometric determination of copper,palladium, and nickel

Summary Copper, palladium and nickel can be titrated amperometrically with 2,5-dihydroxyacetophenone oxime at –0.15, –0.4 and, –1.2 V vs. S. C. E. respectively, the optimum p_H values being 4.6, 4.0, and 9.0. Alkali and alkaline earth metals, Al, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr. Fe(II), Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Th, Zn, UO, W, and Zr do not interfere with the estimation of copper and palladium. The interferences due to the presence of silver and iron(III) can be eliminated by adding excess of KCl and KF respectively. Most heavy metals interfere with the estimation of nickel and should be eliminated before titration.

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Zusammenfassung Kupfer, Palladium und Nickel können mit 2,5-Dihydroxyaeetophenonoxim bei –0,15, –0,4 bzw. –1,2 V gegen eine gesättigte Kalomelelektrode amperometrisch titriert werden, wobei man das p_H am besten auf 4,6, 4,0 bzw. 9,0 hält. Alkalimetalle, Erdalkalien, Al, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe(II), Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Th, Zn, UO₂, W und Zr stören die Bestimmung des Kupfers und des Palladiums. Silber und Eisen können mit Kaliumchlorid gefällt bzw. mit Kaliumfluorid maskiert werden. Die meisten Schwermetalle stören die Nickelbestimmung und müssen daher vor der Titration entfernt werden.

     

Molecular Docking,DFT Calculations,Effect of High Energetic Ionizing Radiation,and Biological Evaluation of Some Novel Metal (II) Heteroleptic Complexes Bearing the Thiosemicarbazone Ligand

New Pb(II), Mn(II), Hg(II), and Zn(II) complexes, derived from 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-(phenylamino)acetyl)thiosemicarbazone, were synthesized. The compounds with general formulas, [Pb(H₂L)₂(OAc)₂]ETOH.H₂O, [Mn(H₂L)(HL)]Cl, [Hg₂(H₂L)(OH)SO₄], and [Zn(H₂L)(HL)]Cl, were characterized by physicochemical and theoretical studies. X-ray diffraction studies showed a decrease in the crystalline size of compounds that were exposed to gamma irradiation (γ-irradiation). Thermal studies of the synthesized complexes showed thermal stability of the Mn(II) and Pb(II) complexes after γ-irradiation compared to those before γ–irradiation, while no changes in the Zn(II) and Hg(II) complexes were observed. The optimized geometric structures of the ligand and metal complexes are discussed regarding density functional theory calculations (DFT). The antimicrobial activities of the ligand and metal complexes against several bacterial and fungal stains were screened before and after irradiation. The Hg(II) complex has shown excellent antibacterial activity before and after γ-irradiation. In vitro cytotoxicity screening of the ligand and the Mn(II) and Zn(II) complexes before and after γ-irradiation disclosed that both the ligand and Mn(II) complex exhibited higher activity against human liver (Hep-G2) than Zn(II). Molecular docking was performed on the active site of MK-2 and showed good results.     

Electrochemical and surface science investigations of PtCr alloy electrodes

Electrodes of supported Pt, modified with Cr, have shown an increase in electrochemical activity for oxygen reduction in phosphoric acid fuel cells over supported Pt only electrodes. To clarify the role of chromium and its chemical nature at the electrode surface, we have characterized a series of Pt_xCr(_1-x) bulk alloys (x = 0.9, 0.65, 0.5, 0.2) by electrochemical and ex-situ surface science methods. In this paper we report the surface characterization of native and post-electrochemical electrodes by XPS, cyclic voltammetry in 0.05 M H₂SO₄ and 85% H₃PO₄, and analysis of 0.05 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte following electrochemical treatment. The surface Cr(1 to 2 nm) was oxidized to Cr³⁺ oxide for surfaces at open circuit and those exposed to potentials < + 1.3 V vs DHE in 0.05 M H₂SO₄ and < + 1.55 V vs. DHE in 85% H₂PO₄. In 0.05 M H₂SO₄ the Cr component was electrooxidized to solube Cr⁶⁺ species at potentials > +1.3 V with the extent of Cr dissolution dependent on initial alloy stoichiometry. Alloys with Cr content 0.5 are capable of producing (dependent on time spent at potentials above +1.3 V in 0.05 M H₂SO₄) very porous Pt-rich surfaces. Loss of Cr was also observed in 85% H₃PO₄ for the alloys with Cr content 0.5, although at the more positive potential limit of +1.55 V. For the Pt_0.2Cr_0.8, treatment in 85% H₃PO₄ at +1.4 V and above led to the appearance of Pt⁴⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ species, apparently stabilized in a porous phosphate overlayer up to 5 nm thick (dependent on time spent at potentials above this limit). The enhancement reported for supported Pt+Cr oxygen cathodes is discussed in the light of these results.     

Determination of microtraces of Bi, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, In, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn in phosphoric acid and ammonium phosphate

Summary Methods for the determination of Bi, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, In, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn in phosphoric acid by ETA-AAS using the platform technique were developed. The detection limits are in the range of 1 to 30 ppb for conc. H₃PO₄. Relative standard deviations of 5–10% at 10 times the detection limits were achieved. The results obtained by five different atomic spectroscopic methods are in good agreement (direct Zeeman-ETA-AAS, D₂-ETA-AAS and FAAS; OES and FAAS after trace extraction).     

Bismuthiol I as an analytical reagent

Summary Bismuth and palladium have been determined volumetrically after precipitation as bismuthiol I complexes. From 0.1 N hydrochloric acid solutions they are separated from Fe²⁺, Al, Cr, Ce³⁺, Zr, Ti, Zn, Th, UO₂ ²⁺, Be, Mg, Mn, Co, Ni, alkalis, alkaline and rare earths.A mixture of tartrate or citrate and EDTA has been found to be useful for the separation of palladium at a p_H 3.5–8.5 from As, Zn, Bi, Sn⁴⁺, Sb, Fe³⁺, Tl⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd, Pb, Ru³⁺, Os⁴⁺, PO₄ ^3–, Ce⁴⁺, Ir⁴⁺, Rh³⁺, VO₃ ^–, CrO₄ ^2–, AsO₄ ^3–, WO₄ ^2–, MoO₄ ^2– and from all the other ions referred to above. Potassium iodide at p_H 6.0–8.0 and thiosulphate at 6–7 keep Ag, Pb, Hg²⁺ and Au³⁺, Ir⁴⁺, Os⁴⁺ respectively in solution and thus allow a selective precipitation of palladium.Hg²⁺, Pb, Cu²⁺, Ag, Tl⁺, Cd and Pd when present along with bismuth are first removed by the reagent and from the filtrate bismuth is estimated. Sn²⁺, Sb³⁺, Fe³⁺, F^–, VO₃ ^–, PO₄ ^3–, AsO₄ ^3– and CrO₄ ^2– interfere in bismuth determination while only Sn²⁺, Pt⁴⁺ and CN^– interfere in palladium estimation.     

A study of the direct determination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in certified reference materials of soils by solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and rapid method for the direct determination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in soil was developed. The method was developed using three certified reference materials of soil: Eutric Cambisol, Orthic Luvisols and Rendzina, which differed in their matrix composition. Chemical modifiers were essential to achieve reproducible and interference-free signals for the analytes studied. The best results were obtained with a Pd/Mg(NO₃)₂ admixture for the determination of Cd, Pb and Zn and NH₄F for Cu. The combination of W (as a permanent modifier) and Mg(NO₃)₂ provided well-defined signal profiles for Cr. The following spectral lines were used: Cd 228.8 nm, Cr 520.6 nm, Cu 218.2 nm, Pb 205.3 nm and Zn 307.6 nm. The limit of detection was 4.2 ng g^− 1 for Cd, 1.1 μg g^− 1 for Cr, 0.5 μg g^− 1 for Cu, 1.3 μg g^− 1 for Pb and 8.6 μg g^− 1 for Zn for the maximum sample mass used. Under optimized conditions, the analyte and matrix were separated effectively in situ, and aqueous standards could be used for calibration.     

Determination of cadmium, chromium, copper and lead in sediments and soil samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using zirconium containing chemical modifiers.

A method for direct determination of cadmium, chromium, copper and lead in sediments and soil samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using Zr, Ir, etylenediamine acetic acid (EDTA), Zr + EDTA, Ir + EDTA, Zr + Ir and Zr + Ir + EDTA as chemical modifiers in 0.5% (v/v) Triton X-100 plus 0.2% (v/v) nitric acid mixture used as diluent was developed. The effects of mass and mass ratio of modifiers on analytes in sample solutions were studied. The optimum masses and mass ratios of modifiers: 20 microg of Zr, 4 microg of Ir, 100 microg of EDTA and 20 microg of Zr + 4 microg of Ir + 100 microg of EDTA, were used to enhance the analyte signals. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background absorption profiles, characteristic masses, and detection limits of analytes in samples were compared in the presence or absence of a modifier. The detection limits and characteristic masses of analytes in a 0.5% (m/v) dissolved sample (dilution factor of 200 ml g(-1)) obtained with Zr + Ir + EDTA are 8.0 ng g(-1) and 1.2 pg for Cd, 61 ng g(-1) and 4.3 pg for Cr, 32 ng g(-1) and 23 pg for Cu, and 3.4 ng g(-1) and 19 pg for Pb, respectively. The Zr + Ir + EDTA modifier mixture was found to be preferable for the determination of analytes in sediment and soil-certified and standard reference materials. Depending on the sample type, the percent recoveries of analytes were increased from 81 to 103% by using the proposed modifier mixture; the results obtained are in good agreement with the certified values.     

Study on the simultaneous determination of some essential and toxic trace elements in honey by multi-element graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A multi-element graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) method was elaborated and applied for the simultaneous determination of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb in various kinds of honey samples (acacia, floral, linden, rape, and milkweed) using the transversally heated graphite atomiser (THGA) with end-capped tubes and integrated graphite platforms (IGPs). For comparative GFAAS analysis, direct (without digestion) and indirect (with digestion in a microwave oven) sample preparation procedures were tested. The effects of several chemical modifiers, such as NH₄H₂PO₄, NH₄H₂PO₄-Mg(NO₃)₂, and Pd(NO₃)₂-Mg(NO₃)₂, were studied to obtain optimal pyrolysis and atomization conditions for the set of analytes studied. The most efficient modifier was proved to be the mixture of 5 μg Pd (applied as nitrate) plus 3 μg Mg(NO₃)₂, allowing the optimal 600 °C pyrolysis and 2300 °C atomization temperatures. To prevent the sputtering and foaming of the matrix during the drying and pyrolysis steps of the furnace heating program, the sample and modifier solutions (20 + 5 μl, respectively) were dispensed together onto the IGP of the THGA pre-heated at 80 °C.The effect of increasing concentration of honey matrix was studied on the integrated absorbance (A_int) signals of analytes. The A_int signals of Cr and Pb were not altered up to 10% (m/v) matrix content in the sample solutions. The matrix effect was slightly suppressive on the A_int signals of As, Cd, and Cu above 2% (m/v) honey concentration. The recovery was found to be ranged between 85 and 115% for Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb, whereas it was a lower, compromise value of 70-99% for As. The limit of detection (LOD) data were 1, 0.04, 0.09, 0.3, and 0.6 μg l⁻¹ for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb, respectively, which values correspond to 20, 0.8, 1.8, 5.3, and 12 ng g⁻¹, respectively, in the solid samples. The characteristic masses were found to be 21 pg As, 1.3 pg Cd, 4 pg Cr, 12 pg Cu, and 33 pg Pb. The As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb contents of the studied 42 honey samples varied significantly, i.e. from below the LOD up to 13, 3.3, 109, 445, and 163 ng g⁻¹, respectively.     

Interferences in the determination of aluminium by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Summary The following substances have been investigated with regard to their interfering effect in the determination of aluminium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry: HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃, H₃PO₄, alkali and alkaline earth metals, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Mn, Co, Mo, Ti, Cr, V, Si. Ternary systems with La have been examined also. Si exerts a strong depressive effect, whereas other elements in certain concentration ranges exhibit positive effects.

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Störungen bei der atomabsorptionsspektralphotometrischen Bestimmung von Aluminium

Zusammenfassung Folgende Substanzen wurden hinsichtlich einer möglichen Beeinflussung der Aluminiumbestimmung untersucht: HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃, H₃PO₄, Alkalimetalle, Erdalkalimetalle, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Mn, Co, Mo, Ti, Cr, V, Si. Ternäre Systeme mit La wurden ebenfalls geprüft. Si übt eine stark depressive Wirkung aus, während andere Elemente in bestimmten Konzentrationsbereichen positiv wirken.

Lecture given on the 2nd Czechoslovak Conference on Flame Speotroscopy, Zvíkov, June 5–8, 1973.     

The application of discontinuous,countercurrent, liquid-liquid extraction to the study of the distribution of metal ions between hydrochloric acid and methyl isobutyl ketone

Summary The extraction of the elements Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Ga, As, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, La, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi from hydrochloric acid into methyl isobutyl ketone has been studied as a function of hydrochloric acid concentration. The results are presented in graphical form. The data were obtained by studying the distribution patterns of the elements after equilibration on a Craig countercurrent liquid-liquid extraction apparatus.

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Zusammenfassung Die Extraktion der Elemente Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Ga, As, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, La, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb und Bi mit Methylisobutylketon aus salzsaurer Lösung als Funktion der Säurekonzentration wurde studiert. Die Ergebnisse wurden aus den Spitzen der Verteilungskurven nach Einstellung des Gleichgewichts in einem diskontinuierlichen Gegenstrom-flüssig-flüssig-Extraktionsapparat berechnet.

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Résumé On a étudié l'extraction des éléments Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Ga, As, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, La, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb et Bi en solution chlorhydrique par la méthylisobutylcétone. On présente les résultats sous forme graphique. Les données ont été obtenues en étudiant les diagrammes de distribution des éléments après équilibrage sur un appareil Craig à extraction à contre-courant liquide-liquide.

     

Simultaneous determination of cadmium and lead in wine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method has been developed for the direct simultaneous determination of Cd and Pb in white and red wine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET-AAS) using a transversely heated graphite tube atomizer (THGA) with longitudinal Zeeman-effect background correction. The thermal behavior of both analytes during pyrolysis and atomization stages were investigated in 0.028 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃ and in 1+1 v/v diluted wine using mixtures of Pd(NO₃)₂+Mg(NO₃)₂ and NH₄H₂PO₄+Mg(NO₃)₂ as chemical modifiers. With 5 μg Pd+3 μg Mg as the modifiers and a two-step pyrolysis (10 s at 400°C and 10 s at 600°C), the formation of carbonaceous residues inside the atomizer was avoided. For 20 μl of sample (wine+0.056 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃, 1+1, v/v) dispensed into the graphite tube, analytical curves in the 0.10–1.0 μg l⁻¹ Cd and 5.0–50 μg l⁻¹ Pb ranges were established. The characteristic mass was approximately 0.6 pg for Cd and 33 pg for Pb, and the lifetime of the tube was approximately 400 firings. The limits of detection (LOD) based on integrated absorbance (0.03 μg l⁻¹ for Cd, 0.8 μg l⁻¹ for Pb) exceeded the requirements of Brazilian Food Regulations (decree #55871 from Health Department), which establish the maximum permissible level for Cd at 200 μg l⁻¹ and for Pb at 500 μg l⁻¹. The relative standard deviations (n=12) were typically <8% for Cd and <6% for Pb. The recoveries of Cd and Pb added to wine samples varied from 88 to 107% and 93 to 103%, respectively. The accuracy of the direct determination of Cd and Pb was checked for 10 table wines by comparing the results with those obtained for digested wine using single-element ET-AAS, which were in agreement at the 95% confidence level.     

Synthesis and properties of LiMIIPO4 (MII = Mg,Mn0.5Mg0.5, Co0.5Mg0.5) affected by isodivalent doping and Li-sources

NH₄M^IIPO₄·H₂O (M^II = Mg, Mn_0.5Mg_0.5, Co_0.5Mg_0.5) were synthesized by direct-precipitating method. The olivine-like LiM^IIPO₄ were successfully generated through the solid state reaction between the synthesized NH₄M^IIPO₄·H₂O precursors and two different Li-sources (Li₂CO₃ or LiOH·H₂O). The NH₄M^IIPO₄·H₂O and LiM^IIPO₄ compounds were confirmed by TG/DTG/DTA, AAS/AES, FTIR and XRD methods. The structural and morphological properties of LiM^IIPO₄ compounds were studied by XRD and SEM, respectively. The XRD reflection shifts of olivine-like LiM^IIPO₄ from the Li-source of Li₂CO₃ revealed changing toward higher diffraction angles than that of LiM^IIPO₄ from the Li-source of LiOH·H₂O. The XRD shifts of LiM_0.5Mg_0.5PO₄ (M = Mn or Co) compounds confirmed the formation of the single phase of isodivalent doping of Mn²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions according to the change in the lattice parameters and cell volumes. The morphological investigations of the LiM^IIPO₄ obtained from Li₂CO₃ system illustrated the grain-like shape particles having smaller size of about 150–400 nm on account of the sequential transformations of types: deammoniation, dehydration, polycondensation and decarbonization. Conversely, the larger size particles (300–700 nm) of the LiM^IIPO₄ obtained from LiOH·H₂O were observed due to the shorter transformation path through the reactions of types: deammoniation and dehydration without polycondensation and decarbonization.     

2-Mercapto-benzothiazole as an analytical reagent

Summary The reagent 2-mercapto-benzothiazole quantitatively precipitates palladium at a PH 5.6 to 10.2. The red coloured compound, Pd(C₇H₄NS₂)₂, is diamagnetic and is stable up to a temperature of 388 C. Palladium is separated from alkalis, alkaline earths, Mg, Fe³⁺, Cr, Th, Zr, Ti, UO₂ ²⁺, Be, rare earths, Ce³⁺, Ce⁴⁺, Zn, Mn, Co, Ni, Pb, Bi, Sb³⁺, As³⁺, Sn⁴⁺, Tl+, Cu²⁺, Cd, Ir⁴⁺, Rh³⁺, Ru³⁺, Os⁴⁺, CrO₄ ^2–, MoO₄ ^2–, WO₄ ^2–, VO₃ ^–, PO₄ ^3– and AsO₄ ^3– at apH 6–8 in presence of EDTA and tartaric or citric acid. Besides Pb, Ag and Hg²⁺ are kept in solution with potassium iodide and Au in a limited quantity forms a soluble complex with thiosulphate. The palladium complex is either weighed after drying and determined gravimetrically or dissolved in an excess of cyanide and determined volumetrically by back titrating the latter with silver nitrate.     

Determination of boron in blood,urine and bone by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using zirconium and citric acid as modifiers

A comparative study of various potential chemical modifiers (Au, Ba, Be, Ca, Cr, Ir, La, Lu, Mg, Ni, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru, Sr, V, W, and Zr), and different ‘coating’ treatments (Zr, W, and W+Rh) of the pyrolytic graphite platform of a longitudinally heated graphite tube atomizer for thermal stabilization and determination of boron was undertaken. The use of Au, Ba, Be, Cr, Ir, Pt, Rh, Ru, Sr and V as modifiers, and of W+Rh coating produced erratic, and noisy signals, while the addition of La, Ni and Pd as modifiers, and the W coating had positive effects, but with too high background absorption signals, rendering their use unsuitable for boron determination even in aqueous solutions. The atomic absorption signal for boron was increased and stabilized when the platform was coated with Zr, and by the addition of Ca, Mg, Lu, W or Zr as modifiers. Only the addition of 10 μg of Zr as a modifier onto Zr-treated platforms allowed the use of a higher pyrolysis temperature without analyte losses. The memory effect was minimized by incorporating a cleaning step with 10 μl of 50 g l⁻¹ NH₄F HF after every three boron measurements. The addition of 10 μl of 15 g l⁻¹ citric acid together with Zr onto Zr-treated platforms significantly improved the characteristic mass to m₀=282 pg, which is adequate for biological samples such as urine and bone, although the sensitivity was still inadequate for the determination of boron in blood of subjects without supplementary diet. Under optimized conditions, the detection limit (3σ) was 60 μg l⁻¹. The amount of boron found in whole blood, urine and femur head samples from patients with osteoporosis was in agreement with values previously reported in the literature.     

Determination of cadmium, copper and lead in soils, sediments and sea water samples by ETAAS using a Sc + Pd + NH(4)NO(3) chemical modifier

Cadmium, copper and lead in soils, sediments and spiked sea water samples have been determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with Zeeman effect background corrector using NH₄NO₃, Sc, Pd, Sc + NH₄NO₃, Pd + NH₄NO₃, Sc + Pd and Sc + Pd + NH₄NO₃ as chemical modifiers. A comprehensive comparison was made among the modifiers and without modifier in terms of pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background absorption profiles, characteristic masses, detection limits and accuracy of the determinations. Sc + Pd + NH₄NO₃ modifier mixture was found to be preferable for the determination of analytes in soil and sediment certified and standard reference materials, and sea water samples because it increased the pyrolysis temperature up to 900 °C for Cd, 1350 °C for Cu and 1300 °C for Pb. Optimum masses of mixed modifier components found are 20 μg Sc + 4 μg Pd + 8 μg NH₄NO₃. Characteristic masses of Cd, Cu and Pb obtained are 0.6, 5.3 and 15.8 pg, respectively. The detection limits of Cd, Cu and Pb were found to be 0.08, 0.57 and 0.83 μg l⁻¹, respectively. Depending on the solid sample type, the percent recoveries were increased up to 103% for Cd, Cu and Pb by using the proposed modifier mixture. The accuracy of the determination of analytes in the sea water samples was also increased.     

Cation-exchange separation and colorimetric determination of some elements in trace analysis of platinum-rhodium (10%) alloys

Summary A method of separation and colorimetric determination of trace amounts (10^–4–10^–5%) of Cu, Al, Fe, Bi, Pb, Mn, Cd, Zn, Co, and M in platinum-rhodium (10%) alloys has been developed. The elements to be determined are retained on a column containing the strongly acidic cation-exchanger Amberlite IR-120, from dilute hydrochloric acid medium (p_H 1–1.5), while platinum and rhodium pass through in the form of anionic chloride complexes. The individual metals are eluted and concentrated and then separated by extraction and carrier precipitation. The metals are determined by means of sensitive colorimetrie methods with dithizone (Cu, Bi, Pb, Cd, Zn), eriochromecyanine R (Al), 2-nitroso-1-naphthol (Co),-furildioxime (Ni), 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (Mn), and thiocyanate (Fe). The error of the determination does not exceed 15%.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Trennungs- und Bestimmungsmethode für Spuren (10^–4 bis 10^–5%) von Cu, Al, Fe, Bi, Pb, Mn, Cd, Zn, Co und Ni in PIatm-Rhodium-(10%)-Legierungen wurde ausgearbeitet.Die angeführten Elemente werden mit Amberlit IR-120 aus der verd. salzsauren Lösung (p_H 1 bis 1,5) von Platin und Rhodium getrennt, die als Anionchloridkomplexe im Eluat bleiben. Die einzelnen Metalle werden nach Elution aus ihrer Lösung durch Extraktion bzw. Mitfällung getrennt und kolorimetrisch mit Dithizon (Cu, Bi, Pb, Cd, Zn), Eriochromcyanin R (Al), 2-Nitroso-1-naphthol (Co),-Furildioxim (Ni), 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (Mn) und Rhodanid (Fo) bestimmt. Der Fehler beträgt weniger als 15%,

     

Evaluation of tungsten–rhodium coating on an integrated platform as a permanent chemical modifier for cadmium,lead, and selenium determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A tungsten–rhodium coating on the integrated platform of a transversely heated graphite atomizer is proposed as a permanent chemical modifier for the determination of Cd, Pb, and Se by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. It was demonstrated that coating with 250 μg W+200 μg Rh is as efficient as the conventional Mg(NO₃)₂+NH₄H₂PO₄ or Pd+Mg(NO₃)₂ modifiers for avoiding most serious interferences. The permanent W–Rh modifier remains stable for 300–350 firings of the furnace, and increases tube lifetime by 50%–100% when compared to pyrolytic carbon integrated platforms. Also, there is less degradation of sensitivity during the atomizer lifetime when compared with the conventional modifiers, resulting in a decreased need of re-calibration during routine analysis. The characteristic masses and detection limits achieved using the permanent modifier were respectively: Cd 1.1±0.4 pg and 0.020 μgL⁻¹; Pb 30±3 pg and 0.58 μgL⁻¹ and Se 42±5 pg and 0.64μgL⁻¹. Results from the determination of these elements in water reference materials were in agreement with the certified values, since no statistical differences were found by the paired t-test at the 95% level.