Trace Determination of Germanium by Continuous Flow Hydride Generation Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectrometry

A continuous flow hydride generation laser-induced fluorescence (HG-LIF) spectrometry technique has been investigated for performing trace determination of germanium (Ge). Hydride generation of Ge is performed using reagent concentrations of 2?M H₃PO₄ and 0.5% NaBH₄ and fluorescence detection is performed using tunable dye laser radiation at 253.323?nm for Ge excitation with fluorescence measured at 303.907?nm. The HG-LIF approach provides a linear response for Ge in the concentration range from 1.0 to 50?ng mL^?1 and a limit of detection of 0.1?ng mL^?1. Replicate measurements at 10?ng mL^?1 have a relative standard deviation of 0.1% (n?=?8). Measurements of Ge in different sample matrices have demonstrated the effectiveness of thiourea and ascorbic acid as masking agents that compensate for samples containing interfering ions. The determinations of the Ge content in reference water samples, fly ash samples, and supplement capsules demonstrate that the HG-LIF approach has feasibility for measuring Ge in different sample matrices at environmentally relevant concentrations.