Determination of Inorganic Arsenic Species by Electrochemical Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with Selective Electrochemical Reduction

A new direct procedure for the determination of inorganic arsenic species was developed by electrochemical hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry （EcHG-AAS） with selective electrochemical reduction. The determination of inorganic arsenic species is based on the fact that As（Ⅲ） shows significantly higher absorbance at low electrolytic currents than As（Ⅴ） in 0.3 mol·L^-1 H2SO4. The electrolytic current used for the determination of As（Ⅲ） without considerable interferences of As（Ⅴ） was 0.4 A, whereas the current for the determination of As（Ⅲ） and As（Ⅴ） was 1.2 A. For equal concentrations of As（Ⅲ） and As（Ⅴ） in a sample, the interferences of As（Ⅴ） during the As（Ⅲ） determination were smaller than 5%. The absorbance for As（Ⅴ） could be calculated by subtracting that for As（Ⅲ） measured at 0.4 A from the total absorbance for As（Ⅲ） and As（Ⅴ） measured at 1.2 A, and then the concentration of As（Ⅴ） can be obtained by its calibration curve at 1.2 A. The methodology developed provided the detection limits of 0.3 and 0.6 ng·mL^-1 for As（Ⅲ） and As（Ⅴ）, respectively. The relative standard deviations were of 3.5% for 20 ng·mL^-1 As（Ⅲ） and 3.2% for 20 ng·mL^-1 As（Ⅴ）. The method was successfully applied to determination of soluble inorganic arsenic species in Chinese medicine.     

Derivatization of GSSG by pHMB in alkaline media. Determination of oxidized glutathione in blood

Chromatographic determination of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) without any preliminary reduction has been presented using GSSG derivatization by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate (pHMB) in strong alkaline medium followed by the determination of GS-pHMB complex by reversed phase chromatography coupled to chemical vapour generation and atomic fluorescence detector (RPC-CVGAFS). A detection limit of 35 nM for GSSG (corresponding to 1.8 pmol) detected as GS-pHMB species was achieved based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 in buffer and in blood. The proposed method was applied to the determination of GSSG in whole blood and validated by the classical determination of GSSG by derivatization after reduction with dithiothreitol (DTT).     

Determination of Lead with 4-(2-Pyridylazo)resorcinol after the Sorption of Lead as its Thiosulfate Complex on a Fibrous Sorbent Filled with AV-17

The sorption of lead from a thiosulfate solution on a fibrous material filled with AV-17 (PANF-AV-17) was studied. Lead was determined by the color reaction with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) on the solid phase by diffuse reflectance spectrometry. Optimal conditions were selected for lead sorption (pH 4.5 ± 0.5) and determination (pH 10); the selectivity of the determination was studied. A new system Pb–thiosulfate–(PANF-AV-17)–PAR was proposed for the determination of lead on the solid phase. A procedure was developed for the determination of lead in fresh water with the detection limit 0.01 mg/L and RSD < 25%.     

The application of the ph-stat method to metal ion-catalyzed reactions

The pH-stat method, which is well known in organic chemistry and biochemistry, is used for the kinetic determination of metal ion catalysts. Indicator reactions that involve protons can be followed by controlled addition of standard base or acid. This is illustrated by the following examples: determination of copper(II) (0.03–0.3 μg ml^-1) with the indicator reaction ascorbic acid—peroxydisulphate; determination of molybdenum(VI) (0.2–2.5 μg ml^-1) with the indicator reaction thiosulphate—hydrogen peroxide; determination of zirconium(IV) (0.2–2 μg ml^-1) with the indicator reaction iodide—hydrogen peroxide; and determination of vanadium(V) (0.2–2 μg ml^-1) with the indicator reaction iodide—bromate. For one example, the copper—ascorbic acid—peroxydisulphate reaction, it is shown that the pH-stat method has distinct advantages over closed systems, giving considerably better sensitivity for the determination of copper (0.5–5 ng ml^-1 ).     

Biamperometric methodology for sequential determination of thorium and uranium

A biamperometric methodology for the sequential determination of thorium (Th) and uranium (U) was developed. In the sample solution containing Th and U, Th was first determined by complexometric titration based on the electrochemical behaviour of EDTA maintaining a potential of ≥200 mV between the twin Pt electrodes. This was followed by the redox titrimetric determination of U employing biamperometry to detect the end point. Prior to the determination of U, EDTA was destroyed by fuming with concentrated HClO₄ to eliminate its interference in the U determination. The method was tested for the determination of Th and U in (Th, U) O₂ samples containing 4 mg of Th and 2–8 mg of U, with precision and accuracy of better than 0.3 %.     

Determination of Metals in Milling Solutions of Titanium Alloys by Differential Pulse Voltammetry

Abstract

Differential Pulse Voltammetric (DPV) methods for the determination of iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V) and chromium (Cr) in a synthetic milling solution of titanium alloy are presented. N-2-hydroxyethyl-ethylene diamine triacetic acid (EDTriA) or ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) was used to replace fluoride in complexing with all the metal ions. EDTriA was found to be a better ligand than EDTA in the determination of Fe, Ti and V. However, the reverse was true for Cr. Ti and Cr, which would interfere in the determination of V, was precipitated from the synthetic solution by adding EDTriA at very high pH. In the Cr determination, Ti and V were the major interfering species. The difficulty caused by Ti was alleviated by precipitating the Ti with EDTA at very high pH. The other difficulty, which was caused by V, was solved by using peak subtraction because of the perfect overlapping of the V and Cr peaks.     

Preparation and chemical characterization of high purity fluorapatite

High purity fluorapatite (FAP) was prepared by solid state reaction, in flowing argon gas, at 1370°C for 60 min. For chemical characterization of Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆F₂, the accuracy and reproducibility of different analytical methods were assessed. Methods with a good accuracy for the determination of Ca, P and F content were: titrations with EDTA for Ca determination (accuracy: −0.8%), spectrophotometric method for P determination (accuracy: +0.6%) and measurements with fluoride-selective electrode (accuracy +5.4%) for F determination.     

Individual determination of uranium and plutonium in a single aliquot

Studies on the individual potentiometric determination of uranium and plutonium in a single aliquot have been initiated recently in our laboratory. It was required to adapt the reported procedures (for the precise determination of uranium and plutonium individually when present together in a sample) at various stages to make them suitable for the successive application of the procedures to the same aliquot. Two alternative schemes are proposed in the present work. In the first, plutonium is determined by HClO₄ oxidation followed by the determination of total uranium and plutonium by Zn(Hg) reduction. In the second, plutonium is determined by AgO oxidation following the determination of total uranium and plutonium by Zn(Hg) reduction. Amount of uranium is computed in both cases from the difference of two determinations. Precision for the assay of plutonium and uranium was found to be ±0.25% and ±0.35%, respectively, at milligram levels.     

Simultaneous determination of tin and lead by a.c. anodic stripping voltammetry at a hanging mercury drop electrode sensitized by cetyltrimethylammoniu

The influence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on the simultaneous determination of tin(IV) and lead(II) by anodic stripping voltammetry at a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) in a 0.1 M hydrochloric acid—0.1 M oxalic acid medium was studied using d.c. and a.c. stripping. In the presence of CTAB, tin and lead show voltammetric peaks separated by 100 mV, the sensitivity depending on the concentration of CTAB. The best conditions for the simultaneous determination of both elements (2 × 10^-3 M) were found. A method is proposed for the determination of tin in the presence of lead and three procedures are given for the determination of lead in the presence of tin.     

Significance of data treatment and experimental setup on the determination of copper complexing parameters by anodic stripping voltammetry

Different procedures of voltammetric peak intensities determination, as well as various experimental setups were systematically tested on simulated and real experimental data in order to identify critical points in the determination of copper complexation parameters (ligand concentration and conditional stability constant) by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). Varieties of titration data sets (Cu_measuredvs. Cu_total) were fitted by models encompassing discrete sites distribution of one-class and two-class of binding ligands (by PROSECE software). Examination of different procedures for peak intensities determination applied on voltammograms with known preset values revealed that tangent fit (TF) routine should be avoided, as for both simulated and experimental titration data it produced an additional class of strong ligand (actually not present). Peak intensities determination by fitting of the whole voltammogram was found to be the most appropriate, as it provided most reliable complexation parameters.Tests performed on real seawater samples under different experimental conditions revealed that in addition to importance of proper peak intensities determination, an accumulation time (control of the sensitivity) and an equilibration time needed for complete complexation of added copper during titration (control of complexation kinetics) are the keypoints to obtain reliable results free of artefacts.The consequence of overestimation and underestimation of complexing parameters is supported and illustrated by the example of free copper concentrations (the most bioavailable/toxic specie) calculated for all studied cases. Errors up to 80% of underestimation of free copper concentration and almost two orders of magnitude overestimation of conditional stability constant were registered for the simulated case with two ligands.     

Thermal lens spectrometric determination of hexavalent chromium

The applicability of thermal lens spectrometry (TLS) for quantification and routine determination of hexavalent chromium was investigated by using a collinear dual beam thermal lens spectrometer. In aqueous solutions the LOD of 0.1 μg l⁻¹ was obtained for Cr(VI) by using 160 mW laser power. The performance of the technique was verified by the determination of hexavalent chromium in standard reference water samples (NIST SRM 1643a and NIST SRM 1643c) and comparing the results for Cr(VI) in CCA (Cr, Cu, As)-treated timber extracts to concentrations obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Good agreement between the TLS results and reported values for Cr(VI) in SRMs as well as AAS results for Cr(VI) in CCA-treated timbers confirmed that TLS is a reliable and accurate analytical technique applicable for the determination of Cr(VI) in aqueous solutions at concentration levels 0.5–100 μg l⁻¹.     

Determination of trace titanium with titanium(IV)-(DBC-arsenazo)-potassium bromate system by catalytic-kinetic spectrophotometry

In a 0.080 M sulphuric acid medium, trace titanium(IV) catalyzes the discoloring reaction of DBC-arsenazo oxidized by potassium bromate and the discoloring degree is proportional to the concentration of titanium(IV) in the solution. A new catalytic-kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace titanium(IV) was developed based on this principle. At a wavelength of 516 nm, the linear range of determination of titanium(IV) is 0–2.2 μg/25 mL. The detection limit for the determination of titanium is 2.04 ng/mL. The present method has been satisfactorily applied to the determination of titanium in fish samples. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

The determination of traces of thiocyanate and copper(II) ions by cathodic stripping voltammetry

Cathodic stripping methods are described for the determination of traces of thiocyanate ions down to 2 × 10^-8 mol l^-1 and Cu(II) ions down to 1 × 10^-8 mol l^-1. The method involves electrolytic accumulation of copper(I) thiocyanate on the surface of a hanging mercury drop electrode followed by stripping of the deposit during the cathodic scan. For the determination of thiocyanate, a copper amalgam electrode can be used. Examples of application of the method for the determination of traces of thiocyanate in common salts, in saliva and urine as well as for the determination of copper(II) ions in tap water are described.     

Direct determination of arsenic in acid digests of plant and peat samples using HG-AAS and ICP-SF-MS

A new analytical procedure for the reliable and direct determination of arsenic (As) in nitric acid digests of ombrotrophic peat samples in the low ng l⁻¹ range has been developed based on hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). The pre-reduction capabilities of KI/ascorbic acid and of l-cysteine in nitric acid digests of peat and plant samples for the conversion of As(V) to As(III) were tested systematically. Samples were digested with high purity nitric acid in a high-pressure microwave autoclave at 240 °C and subsequently measured using HG-AAS or ICP-SF-MS (inductively coupled plasma-sector field-mass spectrometry). Using KI/ascorbic acid as pre-reductant, the accuracy and precision were poor when digests of complex matrices, such as peat were analyzed for As by HG-AAS. However, 10 g l⁻¹ l-cysteine was successfully employed as pre-reductant in diluted nitric acid digests (3%, v/v) of peat samples prior to hydride generation of As with 0.5% (m/v) of NaBH₄ and 7 mol l⁻¹ HCl. The analytical procedure was critically evaluated by analyzing several certified plant reference materials, two in-house peat reference materials and by the determination of As in diluted digests of peat samples with ICP-SF-MS. The results for the determination of As in various peat and plant materials showed excellent agreement with the reference values. The method detection limits for the determination of As by the optimized HG-AAS procedure and by ICP-SF-MS were 23 ng g⁻¹ and 1.4 ng g⁻¹ in solid peat, respectively. The newly developed analytical procedure was applied to the determination of As in selected peat samples. Results for As in these peat samples obtained by the developed HG-AAS procedure and the optimized procedure for the determination of As with ICP-SF-MS were highly correlated (R² = 0.993, n = 12).     

Use of graph theory for evaluating the selectivity of flow-injection analysis based on displacement reactions: Determination of alkaline-earth metals in water-ammonia media

A theory was developed for quantitatively evaluating the selectivity in the determination of metals by the flow-injection technique with spectrophotometric detection. The theory was applied to flow-injection analysis based on the ability of alkaline-earth metals to displace copper(II) ions in the Cu(II)-EDTA-4-(2′-pyridylazo)resorcinol system in water-ammonia solutions. The feasibility of the theory was demonstrated. It was shown how the theory could be used for the selection of justified conditions in the determination of Ca, Sr, and Ba and for the evaluation of the selectivity of the determination. Practical examples of the determination of Ca confirm the usefulness of the approach developed.     

Evaluation of non-chromatographic approaches for speciation of extractable As(III) and As(V) in environmental solid samples by FI-HGAAS

Non-chromatographic speciation approaches have been developed for determination of water-soluble and phosphate-exchangeable As(III) and As(V) in certified reference materials of coal fly ash and sediments by FI-HGAAS. A 2_IV^6-2 fractional factorial design was employed for screening optimisation of the flow injection manifold. A simple two-stage sequential extraction protocol involving deionized water and a phosphate buffer as extractants was employed. Determination of both oxidation states of As in the extracts could be accomplished following arsine generation under different reaction conditions, namely, (i) selective determination of As(III) in citric acid medium or using soft generation conditions (i.e. low HCl and NaBH₄ concentrations); (ii) determination of total As in each extract using thioglycollic acid as reaction medium or after pre-reduction of As(V) to As(III) with a KI+ascorbic acid mixture. The As(V) content was estimated by difference between both measurements. Reaction conditions were previously optimised and analytical parameters in each reaction medium were established. Overall, the extractable As content was less than 5% in sediment and fly ash CRMs. The LOD of As was around 0.07 μg l⁻¹ for As(III) determination, and 0.06 μg l⁻¹ for total As determination after prereduction. Liquid chromatography coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry with post-column hydride generation was used for comparison.     

Selective determination of trace arsenic and antimony species in natural waters by gas chromatography with a photoionization detector

Traces amounts of arsenic and antimony in water samples were determined by gas chromatography with a photoionization detector after liquidnitrogen cold trapping of their hydrides. The sample solution was treated with sodium hydroborate (NaBH₄) under weak-acid conditions for arsenic(III) and antimony(III) determination, and under strong-acid conditions for arsenic(III+V) and antimony(III+V) determination. Large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapor obscured determination of arsine and stibine. Better separation from interference could be achieved by removing CO₂ and water vapor in two tubes containing sodium hydroxide pellets and calcium chloride, respectively. The detection limits of this method were 1.8 ng dm^?3 for arsenic and 9.4 ng dm^?3 for antimony in the case of 100-cm³ sample volumes. Therefore, it is suitable for determination of trace arsenic and antimony in natural waters.     

Comparison of action of mixed permanent chemical modifiers for cadmium and lead determination in sediments and soils by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Slurry sampling atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization was used to the determination of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in soils and sediments using permanent modifiers. Comparison of action of mixed permanent modifiers niobium (Nb)/iridium (Ir) and tungsten (W)/iridium (Ir) were studied in detail. The effect of amount of Ir, W and Nb on analytical signals of Cd and Pb was examined. The optimal amounts of modifiers for Cd and Pb determination were stated. Niobium carbide formation on graphite surface was studied for different pyrolysis temperatures. Finally for Cd determination in sediments and soils 200 μg of Nb mixed with 5 μg of Ir was used as permanent modifiers and 15 μg of Nb mixed with 200 μg of Ir for Pb determination. Suspensions were prepared in 5% HNO₃. The analytical procedure was optimized carefully basing on data from pyrolysis and atomization curves studies. Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate was used additionally as matrix modifier during Cd determination in samples in order to prevent interferences coming from matrix components. The analysis of CRMs confirmed the reliability of the proposed approach. The precision and accuracy of Cd and Pb determination by the described method for soils and sediments were acceptable.     

Simultaneous First-Derivative Spectrophotometric Determination of Nickel and Manganese Complexes with 2-(2-Pyridylmethyleneamino)phenol

Abstract

A method is proposed for the simultaneous determination of nickel and manganese by first-derivative spectrophotometry based on their reactions with 2-(2-pyridylmethyleneamino)phenol (PMAP) Schiff base. The method allows the determination of Ni and Mn in the concentration range 0.3–3.0 μg ml^?1 in mixtures with their ten-fold concentration ratio. The method has been applied for Ni and Mn determination in bronzes. To optimize the experimental conditions for spectrophotometric determination of Mn with PMAP stability constants at different pH values have been determined. A critical evaluation of the proposed method was performed by statistical analysis of the experimental data.     

Application of on-column concentration of deproteinized serum to the HPLC-determination of anticonvulsants

Summary Reversed-phase liquid chromatography was investigated for the determination of anticonvulsants by direct injection of deproteinized serum. Octyl modified silica (RP-8) as stationary phase and phosphate buffer (0.1M pH=3.0) — butanol 92∶8 (v/v) as mobile phase was found suitable for the simultaneous determination of primidone, phenobarbital, carbamazepine and diphenyl hydantoine directly in deproteinized sera from patients. Anticonvulsants like sulthiam, phenyl ethyl malondiamide, ethyl methyl succinimide and the epoxide metabolite of carbamazepine cannot be determined in this way because of disturbance by the serum background. It is shown that the analytical column can be used for on-column concentration of anticonvulsants with 1 cm³ deproteinized serum. The technique proved to be suitable for the determination of phenytoine-3-norvaline in serum.