Selective Sorption–Spectrometric Determination of Nanogram Amounts of Vanadium(IV) and Vanadium(V)

Conditions of the selective sorption–spectrometric determination of vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) using sulfonitrophenol M were found. The determination of vanadium (visual test (RSD = 30%) using a reference color scale or quantitative determination (RSD < 10%) by diffuse reflectance spectra is performed immediately after the dynamic-mode sorption of its colored complexes with sulfonitrophenol M at pH 3.5 (vanadium(IV)) or with sulfonitrophenol M and hydroxylamine at pH 1.5 (vanadium(V), 650 nm) at the surface of polyamide membrane disks (d= 1 cm, l= 0.1 mm, m= 2.7 mg). The flow rate is 10–20 mL/min. The detection limit is 5–7 ng of vanadium in the support zone or 0.2–0.5 ng/mL. The determination of 0.5–5 ng/mL vanadium(V) at pH 1.5 does not interfere with 20-fold amounts of V(IV) and 1000-fold amounts of Ni, Zn, Cd, Mg, Co, Cr(III), Mn, PO^3- ₄, and F^–.     

Multiresidue analysis of phenylurea herbicides in environmental waters by capillary electrophoresis using electrochemical detection

A rapid multiresidue method has been developed for the analysis of seven phenylurea herbicides in the presence of two s-triazines in environmental waters. A simple end-column electrochemical detector was used in combination with a commercially-available capillary electrophoresis instrument with UV detection. The determination of phenylurea pesticides using micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with electrochemical detection represents the first such determination that has been reported. In both detection systems, linear ranges were obtained for the seven phenylurea herbicides at concentrations lower than 2.0×10^–5 mol l^–1, in 0.020 mol l^–1 phosphoric acid at pH 7.0 and containing 0.020 mol l^–1 of sodium dodecylsulfate, in order to obtain selectivity in the additional separation by a micellar distribution process. Under these conditions a detection limit lower than 5.0×10^–6 mol l^–1 (0.25 pmol of pesticide) was achieved for most of them. The pesticides were resolved in less than 30 min.     

Microanalytical concept for multicomponent analysis of airborne particulate matter

Summary A microanalytical concept is presented that permits the determination of four ionic species (NH ₄ ⁺ , Cl^–, NO ₃ ^– , SO ₄ ^2– and 16 elements (Al, As, Cd, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, V, Zn) in minute samples of filter collected atmospheric particulate matter. The multistage procedure is based on consecutive aqueous extraction and acid digestion of the entire sample. Ion analysis of the extract is made by flow injection analysis (FIA) and single column ion chromatography (SCIC) with total consumption of only 50 l sample volume. Flame and furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is employed for element analysis after acid decomposition in a closed microwave digestion system. Using flow injection sample introduction for flame-AAS a liquid volume of 2 ml is sufficient for determination of 10 elements. Determination of the remaining 6 elements by graphite furnace AAS requires 1 ml. The quality assurance programme is briefly described. It includes the analysis of standard reference materials, intercomparison with other laboratories and the use of alternative methods for accuracy control.     

Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of mercury using multi-walled carbon nanotubes film coated glassy carbon electrode

An electrochemical method for the determination of trace levels of mercury based on a multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) film coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is described. In 0.1 mol L^–1 HCl solution containing 0.02 mol L^–1 KI, Hg²⁺ was firstly preconcentrated at the MWNT film and then reduced at –0.60 V. During the anodic potential sweep, reduced mercury was oxidized, and then a sensitive and well-defined stripping peak at about –0.20 V appeared. Under identical conditions, a MWNT film coated GCE greatly enhances the stripping peak current of mercury in contrast to a bare GCE. Low concentrations of I^– remarkably improve the determining sensitivity, since this increases the accumulation efficiency of Hg²⁺ at the MWNT film coated GCE. The stripping peak current is proportional to the concentration of Hg²⁺ over the range 8×10^–10–5×10^–7 mol L^–1. The lowest detectable concentration of Hg²⁺ is 2×10^–10 mol L^–1 at 5 min accumulation. The relative standard deviation (RSD) at 1×10^–8 mol L^–1 Hg²⁺ was about 6% (n=10). By using this proposed method, Hg²⁺ in some water samples was determined, and the results were compared with those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The two results are similar, suggesting that the MWNT-film coated GCE has great potential in practical analysis.     

A novel electrochemical method to detect mercury (II) ions

A novel and sensitive electrochemical method for determination of mercury (II) ions (Hg²⁺) based on the formation of thymine–Hg²⁺–thymine complexes and gold nanoparticle-mediated signal amplification is reported. Two 5′ end thiolated complementary oligonucleotides containing six strategically placed thymine–thymine mistakes were introduced in this work. One of the two oligonucleotides was immobilized on a gold electrode and the other one on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Due to six thymine–thymine mistakes the two oligonucleotides were not able to be hybridized, so AuNPs could not be immobilized onto the electrode surface after the electrode was immersed in the DNA–AuNPs solution. However, if Hg²⁺ existed, T–Hg²⁺–T complexes could be formed and AuNPs could be immobilized onto the electrode surface. Meanwhile, large numbers of [Ru(NH₃)₆]³⁺ molecules as electrochemical species could be localized onto the electrode surface. The Hg²⁺ detection limit of this assay could be as low as 10 nM, which is the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit of Hg²⁺ for drinkable water. This method is proven to be simple, convenient, high sensitive and selective.     

Determination of platinum in biotic and environmental samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after its electrodeposition into a graphite tube packed with reticulated vitreous carbon

Summary Tobacco, beans, slag and dust samples were digested with nitric and hydrochloric acids in high-pressure PTFE bombs. Pt in the sample solutions was electrochemically deposited at –0.9 to –1.2 V in a flow system incorporating a 3-electrode flow-through cell with a graphite counter and Ag/AgCl reference electrodes. A pyrolytically coated graphite tube packed with reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) served as the working electrode with the RVC filling axially bored to let the light beam pass through the tube during the AAS measurements. This opening was plugged with a glass rod during the preconcentration step. After the electrodeposition the tube was placed into the graphite furnace and an atomization temperature of 2700°C was applied. The geometry of the cell, flow rate for electrodeposition, deposition potential and electrolyte composition were optimized. The absolute detection limit was found to be about 0.3 ng Pt.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wilhelm Fresenius on the occasion of his 80th birthday On leave from: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Slovak Technical University, CS-812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia     

Determination of Cd and Pb on glassy carbon electrode modified by electrochemical reduction of aromatic diazonium salts

Carbon modified by the reduction of aromatic diazonium derivatives was first used as electrode for the electrochemical stripping analysis of heavy metals. As a model, the glassy carbon electrode was modified with benzoic acid by electrochemical reduction of diazobenzoic acid, and the resulting modified electrodes were used for determination of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The anodic peak currents of cadmium and lead at the benzoic acid-modified glassy carbon electrode are 7.2 and 6 times of that at the bare glassy carbon electrode. A linear response was observed for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in the range of 0.5–50 μg/l. The detection limits are 0.20 μg/l for Pb²⁺ and 0.13 μg/l for Cd²⁺. The relative standard deviations for six consecutive measurements of 50 μg/l Cd²⁺ and 50 μg/l Pb²⁺ are 0.82% and 3.02%, respectively. Applicability of the sensor to the determination of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in sewerage samples was demonstrated.     

Anodic stripping coulometry with collection for absolute trace analysis of lead, using flow-through electrochemical cells with porous working electrodes

Summary Flow-through electrochemical cells with porous working electrodes made of crushed reticulated vitreous carbon and plated with mercury were used for absolute analysis of trace amounts of lead by anodic stripping coulometry with collection (ASCWC) in a flow system. The role of mercury coating, flow rate and pH were investigated. The coulombic content of the collection peak corresponded to the theoretical values calculated by Faraday's law in a concentration range from about 10^–9 to 10^–6 mol/l. The relative error and the relative standard deviation was +0.15% and 0.8%, respectively for 2×10^–6 mol/l analyte concentration. The absolute detection limit (3 s) was 0.1 ng of Pb, the linear response range 7×10⁴. One leave from: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Slovak Technical University, CS-812 37 Bratislava, Czechoslovakia     

Electrodeposition of lead on to a graphite probe for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple system for controlled potential electrodeposition on to a graphite probe electrode is described. Totally pyrolytic graphite was found to be better for electrodeposition than microporous glassy carbon or electrographite coated with pyrolytic graphite. Lead can be deposited by anodic and cathodic processes as PbO₂ and Pb, respectively. Potentials of + 1.2 to + 2.0 V were best for anodic deposition and – 0.8 to– 2.0 V were best for cathodic deposition. With an electrodeposition time of 120 s, AAS sensitivity gains of × 9 and × 3.5 were achieved for anodic and cathodic deposition, respectively, in comparison with the results obtained by direct injection of 20 1 sample volumes on to the probe. The lead cathodic process was unaffected by NaCl concentrations up to 10^–2 M, but only 10^–3 M NaCl could be tolerated by anodic deposition.     

Cellulose TETPA: a chelating collector designed for multielement preconcentration in flow systems

Summary A cellulose collector with immobilized triethylenetetraminepentaacetic acid (TETPA) groups has been developed for multielement preconcentration (e.g., Al, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe(III), In, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl(III), U(VI), V(IV), Zn) using a low-pressure flow system. Analyte distribution coefficients K_d of the order of 10⁴–10⁵ ml/g (0.5 mol/l NaCl, pH 3–8) and fast exchange kinetics enable effective trace/matrix separations by means of small TETPA-filled (75 mg) columns even at high flow rates (contact time<1 s). Accordingly, recovery rates ranging from 88 (Tl(III)) to 99.5% (Ni), relative standard deviations s_r mostly between 1.5 and 4.0% (off-line determined by flame AAS) and blank levels (e.g., Cu, Fe, Zn) in the lower ng range (quantified by ETAAS) can be achieved. Metal-complexing dissolved organic substances (e.g. humic substances), however, considerably lower the recovery rates of some analytes (e.g., Cu, Fe, Ni). A series of water analyses (e.g., river, sea, bog water) prove the reliability of the developed flow-preconcentration system.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. V. Krivan on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Simultaneous flow injection speciation of iron(II) and iron(III) cyano complexes utilizing electrochemical and atomic absorption detectors in series

Summary A method is described for the simultaneous speciation of Fe(CN) ₆ ^4– and Fe(CN) ₆ ^3– in a flow injection (FIA) system comprising electrochemical (EC) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) detectors in series. One of these species is detected amperometrically at a Pt-electrode by applying the required potential and measuring the resulting reduction or oxidation current of the appropriate iron cyanide complex. Total iron in both species is determined by an AAS detector. The EC detector is inherently more sensitive, with a detection limit of 0.5 g Fe l^–1 and a relative standard deviation of 1.0% for a 0.040 g Fe ml^–1 sample. The limit of detection for the AAS detector is 0.5 g Fe ml^–1, and the relative standard deviation for a 5.70 g Fe ml^–1 sample is 0.40%. The method enables up to 60 analyses (120 speciations) per hour and obviates the problem of easy oxidation of Fe(CN) ₆ ^4– .

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Simultane Speziation von Eisen(II)- und Eisen(III)-Cyanokomplexen durch Flie\injektionsanalyse mit Hilfe von hintereinander geschalteten elektrochemischen und AAS-Detektoren

     

Supported liquid membrane work-up in combination with liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection for the determination of chlorinated phenols in natural water samples

Summary A sample preparation method has been developed for the determination of chlorinated phenols in water. The method is based on a supported liquid membrane extraction system connected on-line to liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The supported liquid membrane technique utilizes a porous PTFE membrane. The membrane is impregnated with an organic solvent which forms a barrier between two aqueous phases and enables selective extraction. The technique can easily be coupled in a flow system. In this investigation five chlorinated phenols (1–5 chlorine atoms) were extracted from natural water samples. Extraction for 30 minutes resulted in detection limits of approximately 25 ng L^–1.     

3,3′,5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidme for the colorimetric determination of manganese in water

Manganese can be determined by colorimetry with previous oxidation of Mn(II) in a strong basic medium, using 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine as a chromogenic reagent. The molar absorptivity of the reaction product is 3.4 × 10⁴ mol^–1l cm^–1l, the detection limit 3 ng/ml, the RSD (0.5 mg/l,n = 8) 0.9% and the calibration range (1-cm cells) 0.02–0.8 mg/1 V(V), Cr(VI) and Co(II) are the most significant interferences. The new method was compared with an AAS procedure (air-acetylene flame) with previous solvent extraction and also with a colorimetric method for the determination of manganese in sea and drinking water.     

Keto-enol tautomerism in the electrochemical reduction of parabanic acid

Convolution potential sweep voltammetry has been applied to the electrochemical reduction of parabanic acid in the 10–100 V/s scan rate range. The overall reduction corresponds to a quasireversible two-electron, two-proton transfer to give an enediol intermediate compound. This compound undergoes an enol-keto transformation in a following homogeneous chemical reaction. This chemical reaction appears to be acid-base catalyzed in the 2 M-4×10⁻³ M H⁺ concentration range. The catalytic and electrochemical constants were determined.     

Improved enzyme retention from an electropolymerized polypyrrole-alginate matrix in the development of biosensors

A novel pyrrole-alginate was synthesized providing a gel by Ca²⁺ cross-linking. The subsequent in situ electrochemical polymerization of the linked pyrrole groups at 0.93 V led to the formation of a composite polypyrrole–gel matrix exhibiting a greater enzyme retention as well as increased alginate stability towards the destructive effect of phosphate anions unlike the natural alginate gel. The presence of the electropolymerized chains was clearly indicated by the decrease of the permeability when compared to natural alginate gel, namely 2.7 × 10⁻² and 3.65 × 10⁻¹ cm s⁻¹ respectively, using as an electroactive permeate, hydroquinone. Moreover, the analytical performance of glucose oxidase-based composite alginate for the determination of glucose was determined.     

AAS determination of Co, Ni, Mn and Cr in ores, concentrates and dusts from copper metallurgy after matrix elements separation by extraction

Summary A method has been developed for the AAS determination of Co, Ni, Mn and Cr in ores, concentrates and dusts of copper metallurgy at the 10^–3–10^–1% level. The matrix elements (Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe) were separated in a two-stage extraction: with MIBK from 6 M HCl solution and with 0.1 M tetrahexylammonium iodide (THAI) in MIBK from 3 M HCl, in form of ion-pairs, without Co, Ni, Mn and Cr losses. Values of r.s.d. were 2.0–6.0%.

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AAS-Bestimmung von Co, Ni, Mn und Cr in Erzen, Konzentraten und Stäuben aus dem Bereich der Kupfermetallurgie nach Abtrennung der Matrixelemente durch Extraction

Zusammenfassung Das beschriebene Verfahren eignet sich für den Bereich von 10^–3 bis 10^–1%. Die Matrixelemente (Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe) wurden als Ionenpaare ohne Verluste an Co, Ni, Mn und Cr mit Hilfe einer zweistufigen Extraktion abgetrennt: mit MIBK aus 6 M HCl-Lösung und mit 0,1 M Tetrahexylammoniumiodid (THAI) in MIBK aus 3 M HCl-Lösung. Die relativen Stadardabweichungen lagen im Bereich von 2,0 bis 6,0%.

     

Verfahren zur Spurenanalyse aus metallischen Proben

Zusammenfassung Ein neues lösungsspektrographisches Zerstäubungsverfahren wird beschrieben, bei dem die Lösung so zerstäubt wird, daß sie die Graphitelektroden nicht berührt. Mit diesem Verfahren könnten 10^–3 bis 10^–5 % Al, B, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Si, Sn, Ti, V und Zr in Eisen und Stahl bestimmt werden.Zur Bestimmung von Verunreinigungen oder Einschlüssen in Stahl wird ein spektrographisches Verfahren mit Preßlingselektroden empfohlen, das nur 0,1–1 mg Rückstand benötigt. Oxide von Al, B, Ca, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, Zn und Zr konnten bis herab zu etwa 10^–7 g erfaßt werden.

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Methods for the determination of trace elements from metallic samples

The principles of a new spectrographical atomizing-method of solution are described. The solution has to be atomized into a gap without contacting the surface of the graphite electrodes. In this way the exact determination of 10^–3 to 10^–5 % of Al, B, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Si, Sn, Ti, V and Zr in iron and steel is possible.The microanalytical determination of impurities or inclusions in steel has been achieved by a spectrographical method with briquette electrodes. The necessary amount of isolation residue is only 0.1–1 mg. The oxides of Al, B, Ca, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Pb, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, Zn and Zr can be accurately determined by this procedure. The limit of determination is about 10^–7 g.

     

Direct analysis of solid samples by atomic absorption spectrometry, following preconcentration of trace elements from seawater with 8-hydroxyquinoline

Summary 8-Hydroxyquinoline (8-HOQ) was used for the preconcentration of Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn from seawater prior to their determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using an inner miniature cup for solid sampling technique. The metal ions in seawater were precipitated quantitatively in the pH range 7–8.5 with 8-HOQ alone. The precipitate thus formed was directly analysed by an atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with a specially deviced graphite furnace and miniature cup. The present method was confirmed to be highly reliable for analysis of seawater. Detection limits (3_b) for Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) are 1.4, 10, 5, 10, and 6 ng l^–1, respectively, for the analysis of a 400-ml portion of seawater samples. Corresponding precision of 6–14% is typical for determination 5-fold above the detection limits.

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Direkte Analyse von Feststoffproben durch AAS nach Anreicherung von Spurenelementen aus Meerwasser mit 8-Hydroxychinolin

     

Determination of As(III) and total as in water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after electrochemical preconcentration on a gold-plated porous glassy carbon electrode

Arsenic(III) was preconcentrated in a flow-through electrochemical cell on a gold coated porous carbon electrode. On stripping, arsenic was eluted with diluted nitric acid and determined off-line by GF AAS. The deposition and stripping steps were optimized. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 1.9 μg L⁻1 and 6.4 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The repeatability and reproducibility were found to be 5.3 % and 9.3 %, respectively. Total arsenic was determined after a microwave assisted chemical reduction of As(V) to As(III) making the procedure suitable for speciation analysis. The method was applied in analysis of water samples.     

Bestimmung von Mikrospuren Bi, Co, Fe, In, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cu, Sb und Zn in Phosphors?ure und Ammoniumphosphaten

Zusammenfassung Es wurden Verfahren zur Bestimmung dieser 10 Elemente in Ammoniumphosphat bzw. Phosphorsäure entwickelt. Zur Anreicherung wurde die Extraktion der Dithiocarbamate, 8-Hydroxychinolinate und Pyrazolonate der Elemente angewendet. Die Bestimmung der Elementkonzentrationen erfolgte mittels Flammen-AAS und OES. Die nach den verschiedenen Verfahren erhaltenen Ergebnisse sind in guter Übereinstimmung. Die Nachweisgrenzen der einzelnen Elemente liegen, abhängig vom Verfahren, zwischen 1.10^–5 und 5.10^–8%.

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Determination of microtraces of Bi, Co, Fe, In, Mn, Ni, Pb, Cu, Sb and Zn in phosphoric acid and ammonium phosphate.I. Flame atomic absorption and optical emission spectroscopic determination after preconcentration of the microtraces by extraction

Summary Two different methods are applied to the determination of the trace element content in ammonium phosphate, or phosphoric acid, respectively. The procedures involve two separate extraction systems based on ammonium pyrrolidine-dithiocarbamate, 8-hydroxyquinoline and 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolone-5, and two spectroscopic techniques — AAS and OES. The results obtained by the different methods are in good agreement. The detection limits of the separate trace elements vary from 1×10^–5 to 5×10^–8%.