Sensitive spectrofluorimetric determination of zinc at ultra-trace levels

An ultra-trace method based on the reaction of zinc with salicylthiocarbohydrazone (SATCH) and Triton X-100 as a non-ionic surfactant was developed for the fluorimetric determination of zinc at the picogram level. The reaction is carried out in the pH range 4.4–4.7 in an aqueous ethanolic medium [52% (v/v) ethanol]. The influence of the reaction variables is discussed. The detection limit is 10 pg ml^?1 and the range of application is 0.01–500 μg l^?1, with an optimum range of 0.04–400 μg l^?1. The relative standard deviations are 0.68% (0.01–0.1 μg l^?1 of zinc), 0.41% (0.1–1.0 μg l^?1 of zinc), 0.64% (1–10 μg l^?1 of zinc), 0.82% (10–100 μg l^?1 of zinc) and 0.15% (100–500 μg l^?1 of zinc). The method is highly sensitive and selective in the presence of Cd^II and Hg^II. The effect of interferences from other metal ions and anions was studied; the masking action is discussed. The advantages of the proposed method include its high sensitivity, simplicity and selectivity.     

Ultraviolet laser photoacoustic spectrometric determination of sulfur dioxide in mixtures containing larger amounts of nitrogen dioxide

Concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the nl l^?1 range are quantitatively measured in gaseous mixtures containing a large excess of nitrogen dioxide by using ultraviolet laser photoacoustic spectrometry. Mixtures containing SO₂ as a minority component are prepared by gas permeation methods. Photoacoustic spectra with 0.5 cm^?1 resolution in the 299.7–303.1 nm region are presented and are used to identify the spectral signatures of each component needed for selective detection. A procedure for the determination of both SO₂ and NO₂ is presented with major emphasis on the sensitivity and dynamic range of SO₂ detection. Concentrations of SO₂ as low as 1.45 nl l^?1 are detected in the presence of 901 nl l^?1 NO₂ in nitrogen at 1 atm total pressure. The effect of adding water vapor (from 17 to 66% relative humidity) is described.     

Determination of total tin in silicate rocks by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A method is described for the determination of total tin in silicate rocks utilizing a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer with a stabilized-temperature platform furnace and Zeeman-effect background correction. The sample is decomposed by lithium metaborate fusion (3 + 1) in graphite crucibles with the melt being dissolved in 7.5% hydrochloric acid. Tin extractions (4 + 1 or 8 + 1) are executed on portions of the acid solutions using a 4% solution of trioctylphosphine oxide in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). Ascorbic acid is added as a reducing agent prior to extraction. A solution of diammonium hydrogenphosphate and magnesium nitrate is used as a matrix modifier in the graphite furnace determination. The limit of detection is > 10 pg, equivalent to > 1 μg l^?1 of tin in the MIBK solution or 0.2–0.3 μg g^?1 in the rock. The concentration range is linear between 2.5 and 500 μg l^?1 tin in solution. The precision, measured as relative standard deviation, is < 20% at the 2.5 μg l^?1 level and < 7% at the 10–30 μg l^?1 level of tin. Excellent agreement with recommended literature values was found when the method was applied to the international silicate rock standards BCR-1, PCC-1, GSP-1, AGV-1, STM-1, JGb-1 and Mica-Fe. Application was made to the determination of tin in geological core samples with total tin concentrations of the order of 1 μg g^?1 or less.     

Spectrophotometric Determination of Manganese with 4(5)-Imidazolealdoxime (Imalox)

Abstract

A method is described for the spectrophotometric determination of manganese by means of its complex with 4(5)-imidazolealdoxime, IMALOX, formed in alkaline medium. The colour system has its absorption maximum at 350 nm and obeys Beer's law over the range 0.8–8.0 μg of Mn per ml. The optimum range is 1–5 μg m^?1. The molar absorptivity is 7850 1 mol^?1 cm^?1. Relatively few ions interfere, and these can be masked with cyanide, tartrate and NTA. The experimental results have been critically analyzed and a comparison with the main spectrophotometric reagents for manganese is presented.     

Flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of palladium in catalysts and dental alloys with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(N-propyl-N-sulfopropyl-amino)aniline

2-(5-Bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-(N-propyl-N-sulfopropylamino)aniline rapidly forms a water-soluble complex with palladium in an acetate-buffered medium at pH 3.2.The molar absorptivity of the complex is 9.84×10⁴l mol^?1 at 612 nm. The calibration graph is linear over the range of 10–100 μg l^?1 palladium; the detection limit is 2 μg l^?1 and the relative standard deviation is 0.6% for 100 μg l^?1 palladium. The sample throughput is 50 h^?1. Divalent transition metals (Fe, Ni, Co) do not interfere at levels from 2 to 10 mg l^?1. Interference from copper is prevented by adding 10^?3 M EDTA solution to the carrier stream. Palladium in solutions of catalysts and dental alloys can be determined selectively, sensitively and rapidly.     

Extraction of gold(III) from low-grade ores with amidines followed by its spectrophotometric determination with methylene blue

A procedure is described in which gold(III) is quantitatively extracted with an amidine into chloroform over the acidity range pH 3.0–11.0 M HCl, followed by its selective spectrophotometric determination by interaction of the extract with methylene blue in the pH range 3.0–9.0. The molar absorptivity of the coloured complex formed by extraction with ten different amidines and methylene blue reaction lie in the range 1.1 × 10⁴?6.5 × 10⁴ 1 mol^?1 cm^?1 at λ_max (650 nm) in chloroform. The simplest compound, N, N′-diphenylbenzamidine, was chosen for detailed study. The limit of detection is 5 μg Au l^?1. The method is free from interferences from the metals that are generally associated with gold. The method is simple, reproducible and applicable to the accurate recovery of gold from low-grade ores containing the metal at levels of > 1.5 μg g^?1.     

Flow-injection technique for the determination of low levels of phosphorus in natural waters

An inexpensive flow-injection instrument for determining low concentrations of dissolved reactive phosphorus in natural waters is reported. The unique feature is the use of an inexpensive detector consisting of a flow cell and a simple photometer that incorporates a super-bright light-emitting diode as the source and a photodiode as the detector. The tin(II) chloride-molybdate method was optimized using a modified simplex optimization method. Silicate interference up to 5 mg Si l^?1 was removed by addition of 0.10% (w/v) tartaric acid. Using the tartaric acid-modified optimized reagents, a detection limit of 0.6 μg P l^?1 was achieved. The method was linear over the range 0–100 μg P l^?1 with an excellent precision (r.s.d. 2.9% at 2.0 and 0.5% at 50 μg P l^?1). An in-line pre-concentration anion-exchange column was used to obtain an even lower detection limit of 0.1 μg P l^?1 and applied to the analysis of real samples.     

Organophosphine transition metal complexes as selective surfaces for the reversible detection of sulfur dioxide with piezoelectric crystal sensors

Some organotransition metal complexes, bis (sulfur dioxide)tetrakis (triphenylphosphine oxide) manganese(II)dioxide [Mn(OPPh₃)₄I₂(SO₂)₂] and bis(tribenzylphosphine)copper(II) thiophenolate [Cu(PBz₃)₂SPh], were identified as candidate coatings for the detection of sulfur dioxide on piezoelectric crystal sensors. After treatment to form the mono (sulfur dioxide) adduct, the first complex binds sulfur dioxide to reform the bis adduct, and can be used as a coating for an integrating piezoelectric sensor. The initial complex can be regenerated by placing the coated piezoelectric sensor under vacuum for 4 h. The specified copper complex was found to act as a reversible coating for the detection sulfur dioxide in the range 10–1000 mg l^?1.     

Stripping voltammetry of aluminum based on adsorptive accumulation of its solochrome violet RS complex at the static mercury drop electrode

A very sensitive electrochemical stripping procedure for aluminum is reported. Accumulation is achieved by controlled adsorption of the aluminum/solochrome violet RS complex on the static mercury drop electrode. Optimal experimental parameters include an accumulation potential of ?0.45 V, solochrome violet RS concentration of 1 × 10^?6 M, and a linear-scan stripping mode. The detection limit is 0.15 μg l^?1, the response is linear over the 0–30 μg l^?1 concentration range, and the relative standard deviation (at the 10 μg l^?1 level) is 2%. Most cations do not interfere in the determination of aluminum. The interference of iron(III) is eliminated by addition of ascorbic acid. Results are reported for snow samples.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of diquat by manual and flow-injection methods

A reliable, highly sensitive and selective method is described for the determination of the herbicide diquat in different materials. It involves the formation of a stable radical obtained by reduction of diquat with sodium dithionite. The radical is a very fluorescent species (φ_F=0.37), and there is a linear relationship between diquat concentration and fluorescence intensity over the range 3–900 μg l^?1. The limit of detection is 0.4 μg l^?1. The method can be successfully adapted as a flow system using a two-channel manifold, the peak height being proportional to the diquat concentration over the range 18–4000 μg l^?1. Manual and flow-injection methods were successfully applied to the determination of diquat in commercial herbicides, waters, potatoes, flowers and soils. Both procedures were also been applied to the determination of diquat in serum and urine without prior preparation of the samples and with good results.     

Determination of sulphur dioxide by flow injection analysis with amperometric detection

Sulphur dioxide can be determined at a sampling rate of 120 h^?1, with amperometric detection after separation in a diffusion cell with a teflon membrane. At 25°C, the calibration graph shows two linear ranges, between 0.06 and 6 mg l^?1 and 12 and 110 ml l^? sulphur dioxide, with a detection limit of 0.03 mg l^?1. At 50°C, the liner range is 04–5 mg l^?1, with a detection limit of mg of l^?1. The procedure has been applied to the determination of sulphur dioxide in wines.     

Flow Injection Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide Using a Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with a Manganese Dioxide Film

Abstract

A manganese dioxide film modified carbon paste electrode was developed for use as an amperometric sensor for the determination of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in ammoniacal aqueous solutions. The electrode showed a stable response towards H₂O₂ after electrochemical activation. Effects of flow rate, operating potential, concentration, injection volume and interferences were investigated. A linear response towards H₂O₂ from 5 μg.l^?1 to 450 mg.l^?1 and a detection limit (3 signal-to-noise ratio) of 4.7 μg.l^?1 was found. The method was employed for the determination of H₂O₂ in rain water samples.     

Lead-selective electrodes based on lead(IV) oxide

Lead(IV) oxide electrodes are shown to give near-theoretical calibration slopes for lead(II) ions over the range 10^?3–10^?5 mol l^?1, and to have near-theoretical standard potentials in different acidic media. They are compared with lead sulphide-silver sulphide membrane electrodes and shown to be more tolerant of acidity and copper(II), mercury(II) and iron(III) ions. Iron(II) and manganese(II), however, interfere significantly. Some of the advantages of the lead(IV) oxide electrode are brought out in the determination of the solubility product of lead sulphate; implications for constructing phosphate- and sulphate-sensitive electrodes are mentioned.     

Spectrophotometric Determination of Nitrogen Dioxide <Nitrite>

Abstract

A highly sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of nitrogen dioxide (nitrite as NO_z ^?) by reacting manganese dioxide in 1:20 perchloric acid. An amount of manganese dioxide (MnO_z) equivalent to the concentration of nitrogen dioxide becomes soluble due to the reduction of Mn (IV) to Mn (II) by nitrite in acidic medium. The soluble Mn (II) ion is filtered to remove excess of MnO₂ and is oxidized to permanganate ion by periodic acid in presence of phosphoric acid. The violet colored solution shows maximum absorbance at 525 nm. The sensitivity of the method is 0.08 ppm based on 0.0044 absorbance, and Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range of 0.2 to 10.0 μg/mL of NO₂ ^?. Molar absorbance is found to be 2442 at 525 nm.

In the present investigation NO₂ ^? was treated with excess of MnO₂ in 1:20 perchloric acid where NO₂ ^? reduces equivalent amount of Mn (IV) to Mn (II) and becomes soluble. The soluble Mn (II) was heated to boiling and 25 mg (approx.) periodic acid is added and cooled. The volume of each solution is made to 50 mL in volumetric flask. Reagent blank is prepared in similar way except sodium nitrite solution. The absorbance is measured at 525 nm against reagent blank.     

Determination of heavy metals in real samples by anodic stripping voltammetry with mercury microelectrodes : Part 2. Application to Rain and Sea Waters

Differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry at a mercury microelectrode is applied to determine labile and total zinc, cadmium, lead and copper in samples of rain and sea water. The low ohmic drop associated with microelectrodes permits reliable measurements in rain water without addition of supporting electrolyte. The values found in a typical sample were 0.95 μg l^?1 Cu, 0.38 μg l^?1 Pb, 0.01 μg l^?1 Cd and 0.95 μg l^?1 Zn, with relative standard deviations in the range 4–18%. The small effects of organic matter at microelectrodes, compared with those at a hanging mercury drop electrode, allow sensitive and reliable measurements of labile metals in surface sea water. Total metal concentrations are determined after acidification to pH 1.5 with hydrochloric acid. The results are compared with those obtained with atomic absorption spectrometry and with differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry at conventional mercury electrodes. Satisfactory results were obtained for a reference sea water.     

Rapid determination of copper,nickel, lead and cadmium in small samples of estuarine and coastal waters by liquid/liquid extraction and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A rapid liquid/liquid extraction of 1.25-ml samples is used with graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of dissolved trace metals in saline waters. The metals are chelated with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and extracted into 1,1,1-trichloroethane; 20–40 μl of extract is injected into the furnace. Sample manipulation and overall time are greatly decreased compared to other similar large-scale extraction methods; all the chemical steps are done in the sample cups of an auto-sampler for graphite-furnace a.a.s. Detection limits (Cu 0.3 μg l^?1, Cd 0.02 μg l^?1, Pb 0.7 μg l^?1, Ni 0.5 μg l^?1 are low enough for applications in routine monitoring of filterable trace metal concentrations in coastal and estuarine waters to check for compliance with Environmental Quality Standards that apply in the European Community.     

Speciation of chromium in sea water

Dissolved chromium(III) and (VI) are coprecipitated separately from sea water, and chromium in the precipitates and particulate matter is determined by thin-film x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. In combination with an ultraviolet irradiation procedure whch releases bound metals, the method provides information about the speciation of chromium in near-shore surface sea water. The ratios of labile Cr(III)/(IIO+VI) generally lie in a narrow range (0.4–0.5) as do the sums of labile Cr(III) and (VI) concentrations (0.3–0.6 μg l^?1). Bound chromium is variable (0–3 μg l^?1) and constitutes from 0 to 90% of total dissolved chromium. Acidification of the samples in the traditional manner for trace metal determination is shown to alter the proportion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI).     

The application of strongly oxidizing agents in flow injection analysis : Part 4. Manganese(VI) and Copper(III)

The application of manganese(VI) and copper(III) in strongly alkaline solutions as strong oxidizing reagents in flow injection analysis is described. Both reagents were prepared under batch conditions and fed to the flow from a stock solution. The reactions of most analytes tested with manganese(VI) required the use of a heated (65° C) reaction coil. The main application appears to be for the determination of monosaccharides in the 10^?4–10^?5 mol l^?1 range.     

Preconcentration by coprecipitation of submicrogram amounts of copper and manganese with 8-quinolinol and direct electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry of the precipitates

Copper and manganese in water samples at levels at or below the μg kg^?1 level are determined by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, after coprecipitation with 8-quinolinol followed by direct measurements on precipitate in a specially-designed furnace. The two metal ions are coprecipitated quantitatively in the pH range 7.0–8.5 with magnesium ions as carrier. The detection limits for copper and manganese are 12 and 14 ng kg^?1, respectively, for 300-ml portions of water samples analyzed.     

Quantitative complexometric determination of mercury(II) in synthetic alloys and complexes using 2-thiazolinethiol as a masking agent

A simple, rapid and selective complexometric method is proposed for the determination of mercury(II). Mercury(II) and other related metal ions are first complexed with an excess of EDTA and the surplus EDTA is back-titrated with a standard lead nitrate solution at pH 5.0–6.0 (hexamine buffer) using xylenol orange as an indicator. A 0.2% solution of 2-thiazolinethiol in acetone is then added to displace EDTA from the Hg(II)-EDTA complex. The released EDTA is titrated with a standard lead nitrate solution as before. Reproducible and accurate results are obtained in the range of 0.8 g l^?1?15.8 g l^?1 of mercury with a relative error less than ±0.25% and a coefficient of variation (n = 6) not higher than 0.28%. The interference of various ions was studied and the method was employed for the analysis of mercury in its synthetic alloy mixtures and in complexes.