Study of ammonium molybdate to minimize the phosphate interference in the selenium determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with deuterium background correction

The use of ammonium molybdate to minimize the phosphate interference when measuring selenium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with deuterium background correction was evaluated. Ammonium molybdate did not produce a selenium thermal stabilization; however, the presence of ammonium molybdate decreased the phosphate interference. The study was carried out with mussel acid digests and mussel slurries. Pd–Mg(NO₃)₂ was used as a chemical modifier at optimum concentrations of 300 and 250 mg l⁻¹, respectively, yielding optimum pyrolysis and atomization temperatures of 1200 and 2100 °C, respectively. A yellow solid (ammonium molybdophosphate) was obtained when adding ammonium molybdate to mussel acid digest solutions. This precipitate can be removed after centrifugation prior to ETAAS determination. Additionally, studies on the sampling of the solid ammonium molybdophosphate (AMP) together with the liquid phase, as a slurry, were also developed. The volatilization of the solid AMP was not reached at temperatures lower than 2500 °C. By this way, phosphate, as AMP, is not present in the vapor phase at the atomization temperature (2100 °C), yielding a reduction of the spectral interference by phosphate. The proposed method was validated analyzing three reference materials of marine origin (DORM-1, DOLT-1 and TORT-1). Good agreement with the certified selenium contents was reached for all cases.     

Influence of citric acid as chemical modifier for lead determination in dietary calcium supplement samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Citric acid was used as a chemical modifier for Pb determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry in dietary supplement samples (calcium carbonate, dolomite and oyster shell samples) and its efficiency was compared to the use of palladium. Pyrolysis and atomization curves were established without use of chemical modifier, with the addition of 20, 100 and 200 μg of citric acid, and with 3 μg of palladium. The citric acid modifier made possible the interference-free Pb determination in the presence of high concentrations of Ca and Mg nitrates. Acid sample digestion involving closed vessels (microwave-assisted and conventional heating) and acid attack using polypropylene vessels at room temperature were compared. All digestion procedures presented similar results for calcium carbonate and dolomite samples. However, for oyster shell samples accurate results were obtained only with the use of closed vessel systems. Analyte addition and matrix-matched standards were used for calibration. The characteristic mass for Pb using citric acid and palladium were 16 and 25 pg, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was always less than 5% when citric acid was used. The relative and absolute limits of detection were 0.02 μg g^− 1 and 8 pg with citric acid and 0.1 μg g^− 1 and 44 pg with the Pd modifier, respectively (n = 10, 3σ). The recovery of Pb in spiked calcium supplement samples (10 μg l^− 1) was between 98% and 105%. With the use of 100 μg of citric acid as chemical modifier, problems such as high background absorption and high RSD values were minimized in comparison to the addition of 3 μg of palladium.     

Determination of selenium in biological tissue samples rich in phosphorus using electrothermal atomization with Zeeman-effect background correction and (NH4)3RhCl6+citric acid as a mixed chemical modifier

Spectral interferences from phosphorus on the determination of selenium in biological tissue materials were not observed when a Zeeman-effect background correction was used with rhodium as a chemical modifier. A suppression effect on the selenium signal resulted when the concentration of phosphorus present was greater than 1.0 mg ml⁻¹. Rhodium was found to be more effective than palladium in overcoming the phosphate interference. Analytical procedures for the direct determination of trace selenium in standard reference materials by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry following sample dissolution in nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide using a microwave oven has been described. The results obtained agreed favourably with the certified values.     

Investigation of chemical modifiers for phosphorus in a graphite furnace using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry

Phosphorus is not one of the elements that are typically determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, but this technique nevertheless offers several advantages that make it attractive, such as the relatively great freedom from interferences. As the main resonance lines for phosphorus are in the vacuum–ultraviolet, inaccessible by conventional atomic absorption spectrometry equipment, L´vov and Khartsyzov proposed to use the non-resonance doublet at 213.5 / 213.6 nm. Later it turned out that with conventional equipment it is necessary to use a chemical modifier in order to get reasonable sensitivity, and lanthanum was the first one suggested for that purpose. In the following years more than 30 modifiers have been proposed for the determination of this element, and there is no consensus about the best one. In this work high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry has been used to investigate the determination of phosphorus without a modifier and with the addition of selected modifiers of very different nature, including the originally recommended lanthanum modifier, several palladium-based modifiers and sodium fluoride. As high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry is revealing the spectral environment of the analytical line at high resolution, it became obvious that without the addition of a modifier essentially no atomic phosphorus is formed, even at 2700 °C. The absorption measured with line source atomic absorption spectrometry in this case is due to the PO molecule, the spectrum of which is overlapping with the atomic line. Palladium, with or without the addition of calcium or ascorbic acid, was found to be the only modifier to produce almost exclusively atomic phosphorus. Lanthanum and particularly sodium fluoride produced a mixture of P and PO, depending on the atomization temperature. This fact can explain at least some of the discrepancies found in the literature and some of the phenomena observed in the determination of phosphorus using line source atomic absorption spectrometry.     

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.     

Dithizone–chloroform single drop microextraction system combined with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using Ir as permanent modifier for the determination of Cd in water and biological samples

A simple and sensitive method using dithizone–chloroform single drop microextraction has been developed for separation and preconcentration of trace Cd prior to its determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Ir as permanent modifier. Parameters, such as pyrolysis and atomization temperature, solvent type, pH, dithizone concentration, extraction time, organic drop volume, stirring rate and sample volume were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, a detection limit (3σ) of 0.7 ng/l and enrichment factor of 65 were achieved. The relative standard deviation was 7.4% (c = 0.2 μg/l, n = 5). The developed method has been applied to the determination of trace Cd in water samples and biological reference materials with satisfactory results.     

Background overcorrection problems for lead in the presence of phosphate with various metals in Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Phosphate in various chemical forms has been widely used as a chemical modifier for the determination of Pb by graphite furnace AAS. When Pb was determined in bone digestate, with NH₄H₂PO₄ modifier and a transversely-heated furnace and a longitudinal Zeeman background correction system, low recoveries of Pb were found. This was found to be caused by a background overcorrection problem associated with the matrix of phosphate plus Ca and/or Mg. The overcorrection problem caused erroneously low Pb concentrations to be predicted when using aqueous Pb standards for calibration. The overcorrection problem was not reproduced with a transverse Zeeman correction system. While the magnitude and shape of the background signal changed with different phosphate compounds, the important features remained constant. We suggest that the background overcorrection problem was caused by molecular absorption of PO formed during atomization in the presence of any of several metals, most specifically the alkaline earth elements, since the PO molecular absorption bands appear to be subject to Zeeman-effect splitting.     

Preconcentration procedure trace amounts of palladium using modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes sorbent prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometry: 1st Nano Update

A method for preconcentration of palladium at trace level on modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes columns and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) has been developed. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were oxidized with concentrated HNO₃ and the oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes were modified with 5-(4′-dimethylamino benzyliden)-rhodanine, and then were used as a solid sorbent for preconcentration of Pd(II) ions. Factors influencing sorption and desorption of Pd(II) ions were investigated. The sorption of Pd(II) ions was quantitative in the pH range of 1.0–4.5, whereas quantitative desorption occurs with 3.0 mL 0.4 mol L^?1 thiourea. The amount of eluted palladium was measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The effects of experimental parameters, including sample flow rate, eluent flow rate, and eluent concentration were investigated. The effect of coexisting ions showed no interference from most ions tested. The proposed method permitted a large enrichment factor (about 200). The relative standard deviation of the method was ±2.73% (for eight replicate determination of 2.0 μg mL^?1 of Pd(II)) and the limit of detection was 0.3 ng mL^?1. The method was applied to the determination of Pd(II) in water, road dust, and standard samples.     

Determination of cadmium and lead in biological samples by Zeeman ETAAS using various chemical modifiers

The electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of cadmium and lead in biological certified reference materials (CRMs) has been carried out by using NH(4)H(2)PO(4), Ni, Pd, Ni+NH(4)H(2)PO(4), Pd+NH(4)H(2)PO(4) and Ni+Pd+NH(4)H(2)PO(4) as chemical modifiers. A comprehensive comparison was made among the modifiers in 1% Triton X-100 plus 0.2% nitric acid as diluent and without modifier. Zeeman background correction and graphite tubes inserted with platforms were used. Comparison was made in terms of pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background absorption profiles. Ni+Pd+NH(4)H(2)PO(4) modifier mixture was found to be preferable for the determination of Cd and Pb. Pyrolysis temperatures of analytes were increased up to 900 degrees C for Cd and 1250 degrees C for Pb by using Ni+Pd+NH(4)H(2)PO(4) in 1% Triton X-100 plus 0.2% nitric acid diluent solution. Biological CRMs were analyzed to verify the accuracy and precision of this method. Depending on the biological sample type, the percent recoveries were increased from 62 to 102% for Cd and from 58 to 106% for Pb by using the proposed modifier mixture. The detection limits of Cd and Pb were found to be 0.04, 0.92 mug l(-1), respectively.     

Direct determination of bismuth, indium and lead in sea water by Zeeman ETAAS using molybdenum containing chemical modifiers

Direct determination of Bi, In and Pb in sea water samples has been carried out by ETAAS with Zeeman background correction using molybdenum containing chemical modifiers and tartaric acid as a reducing agent. Maximum pyrolysis temperatures and the effect of mass ratios of the mixed modifier components on analytes have been investigated. Mo+Pd+TA or Mo+Pt+TA mixture was found to be powerful for the determination of 50 mug l(-1) of Bi, In and Pb spiked into synthetic and real sea waters. The accuracy and precision of the determination were thereby enhanced. The recoveries of analytes spiked were 94-103% with Mo+Pd+TA or Mo+Pt+TA and they are only 49-61% without modifier.     

Minimization of mass interferences in quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) determination of palladium using a flow injection on-line displacement solid-phase extraction protocol

A flow injection on-line displacement solid-phase extraction protocol was employed to minimize mass interferences with determination of palladium by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The developed method involved in on-line complexing of Ag⁺ with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDC), presorption of the resultant Ag–PDC onto a microcolumn packed with the cigarette filter, displacement sorption of Pd²⁺ through loading the sample solution onto the microcolumn due to on-line displacement reaction between Pd²⁺ and the presorbed Ag–PDC, elution of the retained Pd²⁺ with 50 μL of ethanol for on-line ICP-MS detection. Interferences from co-existing heavy metal ions with lower stability of their PDC complexes relative to Ag–PDC were minimized/eliminated. No interferences from 5 mg L^− 1 Zn and 3 mg L^− 1 Pb for ¹⁰⁴Pd, 0.4 mg L^− 1 Cu for ¹⁰⁵Pd, 6 mg L^− 1 Zn and 2 mg L^− 1 Cd for ¹⁰⁶Pd, 6 mg L^− 1 Zn and 3 mg L^− 1 Cd for ¹⁰⁸Pd, and 2 mg L^− 1 Cd for ¹¹⁰Pd were observed for the determination of 100 ng L^− 1 Pd. The enhancement factors of 71–75, sample throughput of 23 samples h^− 1 and detection limits of 2.8–3.5 ng L^− 1 were achieved with the consumption of 3.0 mL of sample solution. The precision (RSD) for eleven replicate determinations of Pd at the 100 ng L^− 1 level was 1.8–2.7%. The developed method was applied to the determination of palladium in rock samples.     

Column solid phase extraction and determination of ultra-trace Au,Pd and Pt in environmental and geological samples

A new sorbent based on cysteine modified silica gel (SiG-cys) was prepared and studied for preconcentration and separation of noble metals Au(III), Pd(II), Pt(II), Pt(IV). Its extraction efficiency was examined by batch and column solid phase extraction procedures. Laboratory experiments performed showed that sorbent is characterized with high selectivity, permiting quantitative sorption (93–97%) of noble metals Au, Pd and Pt from acidic media 0.1–2 mol L^? 1 HCl and unsignificant sorption (less than 2%) for common base metals like Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. The analytes retained on the sorbent are effectively eluted with 0.1 mol L^? 1 thiourea in 0.1 mol L^? 1 HCl and measured by ETAAS or ICP OES under optimal instrumental parameters. The sorbent showed high mechanical and chemical stability and extraction efficiency was not changed after 500 cycles of sorption/desorption. The sorbent was successfully applied in analyticals procedures for preconcentration and determination of Au, Pd and Pt in geological and soil samples. Detection limits (3σ criteria) achieved, depending on the instrumental methods used are: ETAAS (0.005 μg L^? 1 for Au in river and sea water, 0.002 μg g^? 1 for Au in copper ore and copper concentrate); ICP OES (0.03 μg L^? 1 for Pd and 0.06 μg L^? 1 for Pt in river and sea water, 0.006 μg g^? 1 for Pd in copper ore and copper concentrate and 0.002 μg g^? 1 for soluble Pt in soil). The accuracy of the procedures developed was confirmed by added/found method for sea and river water; by the analysis of national certified materials (copper ore and copper concentrate for Au and Pd) and by determination of the sum of soluble Pt(II) + Pt(IV) in spiked soil samples.     

Optimization of fluorine determination via the molecular absorption of gallium mono-fluoride in a graphite furnace using a high-resolution continuum source spectrometer

The determination of fluorine using the molecular absorption of gallium mono-fluoride (GaF) at the 211.248 nm rotational line has been optimized using a commercially available high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer with a transversely heated graphite tube furnace. The electron excitation spectrum of GaF was generated by adding 500 μg Ga per injection into the graphite tube as molecule forming reagent. Best results were obtained by applying Zr as a permanent modifier and a mixed Pd/Zr modifier, thermally pretreated before each sample injection together with the Ga reagent at 1100 °C. The use of sodium acetate and Ru(III) nitrosyl nitrate as additional modifiers injected together with the sample further improved the performance. This way a maximum pyrolysis temperature of 550 °C could be used, and the optimum molecule forming temperature was 1550 °C. Several drinking water samples, a mineral water sample, and two certified reference materials were analyzed using the standard calibration technique; the absence of potential matrix effects was verified by measuring different dilutions and spiking with known fluorine mass. The results were in good agreement with the certified values and those measured by ion selective electrode; the recovery rate for the spiking experiments was between 97% and 106%. The results show that there was no matrix influence for that kind of samples containing relatively high concentrations of Ca, Mg and chloride, which are known to cause interference in GaF molecule absorption. The limit of detection and the characteristic mass of the method were 5.2 and 7.4 pg F, respectively, and were both about a factor of two better than recently published values.     

Bovine liver sample preparation and micro-homogeneity study for Cu and Zn determination by solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

This work describes a systematic study for the bovine liver sample preparation for Cu and Zn determination by solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The main parameters investigated were sample drying, grinding process, particle size, sample size, microsample homogeneity, and their relationship with the precision and accuracy of the method. A bovine liver sample was prepared using different drying procedures: (1) freeze drying, and (2) drying in a household microwave oven followed by drying in a stove at 60 °C until constant mass. Ball and cryogenic mills were used for grinding. Less sensitive wavelengths for Cu (216.5 nm) and Zn (307.6 nm), and Zeeman-based three-field background correction for Cu were used to diminish the sensitivities. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures adopted were 1000 °C and 2300 °C for Cu, and 700 °C and 1700 °C for Zn, respectively. For both elements, it was possible to calibrate the spectrometer with aqueous solutions. The use of 250 μg of W + 200 μg of Rh as permanent chemical modifier was imperative for Zn. Under these conditions, the characteristic mass and detection limit were 1.4 ng and 1.6 ng for Cu, and 2.8 ng and 1.3 ng for Zn, respectively. The results showed good agreement (95% confidence level) for homogeneity of the entire material (> 200 mg) when the sample was dried in microwave/stove and ground in a cryogenic mill. The microsample homogeneity study showed that Zn is more dependent on the sample pretreatment than Cu. The bovine liver sample prepared in microwave/stove and ground in a cryogenic mill presented results with the lowest relative standard deviation for Cu than Zn. Good accuracy and precision were observed for bovine liver masses higher than 40 μg for Cu and 30 μg for Zn. The concentrations of Cu and Zn in the prepared bovine liver sample were 223 mg kg^− 1 and 128 mg kg^− 1, respectively. The relative standard deviations were lower than 6% (n = 5). The accuracy of the entire procedure was checked with bovine liver from NIST (1577b) and determination of Cu and Zn using flame atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave-assisted sample digestion.     

Synthesis of Pd nanowire networks by a simple template-free and surfactant-free method and their application in formic acid electrooxidation

A large volume of Pd nanowire networks with lengths of a few tens of nanometers are synthesized successfully by the inherent self-assembly process with the stabilizing effect of sodium citrate. The Pd nanowire networks exhibit a superior electrocatalytic activity for formic acid oxidation. The specific area activities of Pd nanowire at 0.1 V calculated from the forward-scan currents were 1.38 mA cm^?2, which is 97% higher than that obtained from Pd nanoparticle or peanut-like structures (0.70 mA cm^?2). The mechanism of the significant enhancement of the catalytic activity of Pd nanowire network can be due to the unique surface characteristics and effective electronic conduction path within the Pd nanowire networks.     

Chemical vapor generation of silver for atomic absorption spectrometry with the multiatomizer: Radiotracer efficiency study and characterization of silver species

Volatile Ag species were generated in flow injection arrangement from nitric acid environment in the presence of surfactants (Triton X-100 and Antifoam B) and permanent Pd deposits as the reaction modifiers. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with multiple microflame quartz tube atomizer heated to 900 °C was used for atomization; evidence was found for thermal mechanism of atomization. Relative and absolute limits of detection (3σ, 250 μl sample loop) measured under optimized conditions were: 1.4 μg l^? 1 and 0.35 ng, respectively.The efficiency of chemical vapor generation (CVG) as well as spatial distribution of residual analyte in the apparatus was studied by ¹¹¹Ag radioactive indicator (half-life 7.45 days) of high specific activity. It was found out that 23% of analyte was released into the gaseous phase. However, only 8% was found on filters placed at the entrance to the atomizer due to transport losses. About 40% of analyte remained in waste liquid, whereas the rest was found deposited over the CVG system.Presented study follows the hypothesis that the “volatile” Ag species are actually metallic nanoparticles formed upon reduction in liquid phase and then released with good efficiency to the gaseous phase. Number/charge size distributions of dry aerosol were determined by Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer. Ag was detected in 40–45 nm particles holding 10 times more charge if compared to Boltzmann equilibrium. At the same time, Ag was also present on 150 nm particles, the main size mode of the CVG generator. The increase of Ag in standards was reflected by proportional increase in particle number/charge for 40–45 nm size particles only.Transmission electron microscopy revealed particles of 8 ± 2 nm sampled from the gaseous phase, which were associated in isolated clusters of few to few tens of nanometres. Ag presence in those particles was confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis.     

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.     

Highly selective solid-phase extraction of trace Pd(II) by murexide functionalized halloysite nanotubes

The originality on the high efficiency of murexide modified halloysite nanotubes as a new adsorbent of solid phase extraction has been reported to preconcentrate and separate Pd(II) in solution samples. The new adsorbent was confirmed by Fourier transformed infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms. Effective preconcentration conditions of analyte were examined using column procedures prior to detection by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The effects of pH, the amount of adsorbent, the sample flow rate and volume, the elution condition and the interfering ions were optimized in detail. Under the optimized conditions, Pd(II) could be retained on the column at pH 1.0 and quantitatively eluted by 2.5 mL of 0.01 mol L^?1 HCl–3% thiourea solution at a flow rate of 2.0 mL min^?1. The analysis time was 5 min. An enrichment factor of 120 was accomplished. Common interfering ions did not interfere in both separation and determination. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent at optimum conditions was found to be 42.86 mg g^?1 for Pd(II).The detection limit (3σ) of the method was 0.29 ng mL^?1, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.1% (n = 11). The method was validated using certified reference material, and has been applied for the determination of trace Pd(II) in actual samples with satisfactory results.     

The potentials of zero charge of Pd(1 1 1) and thin Pd overlayers on Au(1 1 1)

The potential of zero charge (pzc) of Pd(1 1 1) has been determined in dilute NaF solutions by measuring the Gouy–Chapman minimum of the double-layer capacity. For a massive Pd(1 1 1) single crystal electrode a pzc of −0.12 V vs. SCE has been found. The corresponding values for thin Pd(1 1 1) overlayers on Au(1 1 1) have also been determined. While the pzc of the first, pseudomorphic Pd layer on Au(1 1 1) is −0.09 V vs. SCE, the pzc of a five monolayers thick Pd film on Au(1 1 1) is practically identical to the pzc of the massive Pd(1 1 1) electrode. By comparing pzc's and work functions for Au(1 1 1) and Pd(1 1 1), the dipole contribution to the potential drop across the Pd(1 1 1)/water interface is estimated.     

Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Ni and Pb in diesel and gasoline samples stabilized as microemulsion using conventional and permanent modifiers

A procedure for the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Ni and Pb in diesel and gasoline samples was developed. Sample stabilization was necessary because of evident analyte losses that occurred immediately after sampling. Excellent long-term sample stabilization was observed by mixing different organic solvents with propan-1-ol and 50% vol/vol HNO₃ at a 3.3:6.5:1 volume ratio. For Pb, efficient thermal stabilization was obtained using aqueous Pd–Mg modifier as well as for Ir as permanent modifier. The drying temperature and ramp rate influenced the sensitivity obtained for Ni, and had to be carefully optimized. Taking this into account, the same sensitivity was attained in all investigated organic media stabilized as microemulsion. Thus, calibration with microemulsions prepared with a single organic solvent was possible, using aqueous or organic stock solutions. Commercial gasoline and diesel samples were directly analyzed after stabilization as microemulsion and by comparative UOP procedures. n-Hexane microemulsions were used for calibration, and good agreement was obtained between the results using the proposed and comparative procedures. Typical coefficients of variation (n = 6) ranged from 1% to 4%, and from 1% to 3% for Ni and Pb, respectively. Detection limits (k = 3) in the original gasoline or diesel samples, derived from 10 blank measurements, were 4.5 and 3.6 μg l^− 1 for Ni and Pb, respectively, comfortably below the values found in the analyzed samples.