Determination of Silver by Chemical Vapor Generation with In Situ Trapping Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

The hyphenation of chemical vapor generation with an integrated atom trap system for flame atomic absorption spectrometry (CVG-IAT-FAAS) was evaluated for determination of silver in real samples (coal fly ash, sediment, and nickel alloy). The volatile species of silver were formed by reaction with sodium tetrahydroborate(III) in the presence of nitric acid. A new CVG-IAT-FAAS design (versus a water-cooled single silica tube, double-slotted quartz tube) significantly improved the sensitivity and detection limits compared with conventional flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for determination of silver. The concentration limit of detection was 0.7 ng mL^?1 for Ag. The overall efficiency of the vapor generation process was estimated to be ca. 12%. For a 2 min in situ preconcentration time, sensitivity was enhanced 143-fold for Ag using the vapor generation atom trapping technique, compared to conventional FAAS. Sensitivity can be further improved by increasing the collection time. The precision of measurement at 10 ng mL^?1 of Ag was 10% RSD. The accuracy of this method was validated by analyses of NRC GBW 07302 (Stream Sediment), BCS CRM No. 346 (Nickel Alloy), NIST SRM 2710 (Montana Soil), NRCC LUTS-1 (Lobster Hepatopancreas), and NIST SRM 1643e (Trace Element in Water) certified reference materials. The measured Ag contents in these five reference materials were in satisfactory agreement with the certified values (spanning the range of 0.066–35 µg g^?1).     

Recent Achievements in Sample Introduction Systems for Use in Chemical Vapor Generation Plasma Optical Emission and Mass Spectrometry: From Macro- to Microanalytics

Abstract

Chemical vapor generation (CVG) offers several significant advantages for analyses, including efficient matrix separation, which often leads to a reduction of interferences and better detection limits; high transport efficiency of analyte into the atomic spectroscopic detector; in some cases, high selectivity to permit differentiation of chemical species of a particular element and enable use of gas-phase separation methods for speciation of some elements.

The development of CVG techniques from a Marsh test (arsine generation) to a recent device combining vapor generation with multichannel sample introduction systems and separation or preconcentration techniques at the macro- and microscale for use in optical emission and mass spectrometry is reviewed.     

Matrix-Assisted Photochemical Vapor Generation for the Direct Determination of Mercury in Domestic Wastewater by Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

In this article, matrix-assisted photochemical vapor generation is proposed for the direct determination of mercury in domestic wastewater by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. With the ultraviolet light irradiation, the matrix (low-molecular-weight organic compounds) in domestic wastewater samples can produce reducing species. These reducing species could reduce mercury from mercury (II) to elemental mercury, subsequently swept by argon to atomic fluorescence spectrometry for detection. The effects of several factors, such as material of the photoreaction coil, ultraviolet light wavelength, ultraviolet light irradiation time, and flow rate of carrier gas, were investigated. Under the optimized condition, a limit of detection of 0.1 µg L^?1 was obtained. The standard addition method was used for the spiked mercury domestic wastewater sample analysis, with a relative standard deviation (n = 11, at 20 µg L^?1) of 4.8%, and recovery test results ranged from 81% to 110%. The proposed method was applied to analyze two certified reference materials and four domestic wastewater samples, with analytical results in good agreement with certified values or those obtained by ICP-MS. Interferences from common transition metals and alkaline metals as well as alkaline earth metals were also investigated. This is a simple, reagent-free, cost-effective, green method for mercury determination in domestic wastewater.     

Improved Performance of On-line Atom Trapping in Flame Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry by Chemical Vapor Generation: Determination of Cadmium in High-Salinity Water Samples

ABSTRACT

On-line atom trapping inside a nickel flame furnace using chemical vapor generation for sample introduction was proposed for the determination of trace cadmium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Cadmium volatile species was generated upon reaction with potassium borohydride and then flushed into a flame furnace for on-line trapping by a flow of nitrogen carrier gas. The middle part of the flame furnace, where the carrier gas impacts, is cooled by the gas flow, and this provides a fine strategy for on-line atom trapping for the purpose of preconcentration. A stainless steel plate is put on the top of the flame burner in the middle to form a flame-free zone, which also greatly lowers the temperature of the flame furnace and facilitates the atom-trapping process. Due to the introduction of chemical vapor generation, matrix effect was greatly alleviated compared with direct pneumatic nebulization for on-line atom trapping in flame furnace AAS. With trapping time of 35 s, the current approach achieved an excellent limit of detection of 20 ng L^?1. The proposed method was successfully applied for the quantification of cadmium in high-salinity samples.     

原子光谱/元素质谱在生命分析中的应用进展

原子光谱/元素质谱是元素分析的强有力手段,其在生命分析领域的应用也越来越广泛。在单细胞元素分析方面,相关研究工作主要关注元素在单细胞中的分布和形态变化;在元素标记策略分析领域,利用原子光谱（atomic spectrometry, AS）和电感耦合等离子体质谱（inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ICP-MS）实现对小分子、核酸、蛋白质等目标分析物的高灵敏检测是研究热点;在金属药物分析领域,ICP-MS为研究金属药物在生物体中的摄入、分布、代谢和排泄等过程提供了便利,也为进一步阐明药物作用机理以及金属药物的设计和改进提供了数据支持;在生物元素成像领域,ICP-MS与激光剥蚀技术（laser ablation, LA）联用,可以对生物样品进行原位分析和微区分析,结合有机质谱实现元素相关生物过程的分子机制研究;与相关分离方法联用,原子光谱和元素质谱还可以对生物组织中元素进行形态分析,研究其在相关过程中的生物转化过程。本文从单细胞元素分析、元素标签标记策略、金属药物转运与代谢以及生物组织中元素分布分析等方面,评述了原子光谱和ICP-MS在生命分析中的应用实例,并对该领域的发展前景进行了展望。     

Application of Preconcentration and Separation Techniques in Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

With 135 references, this review presents the recent application of various preconcentration and separation techniques in atomic fluorescence spectrometry for the sensitive determination and speciation of various elements and their species. It focuses on sample pretreatment, separation, and enrichment-related techniques, including liquid–liquid extraction, solid-phase (micro)extraction, microwave/ultrasound-assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, as well as chemical vapor generation. In this review, the historical development and overview of these preconcentration and separation methodologies are briefly discussed, together with a comprehensive collection of application of these methods in combination with atomic fluorescence spectrometry for determination of ultratrace amounts of elements and their species in various sample matrices (liquids and solids).     

Dry Ashing Preparation of (Quasi)solid Samples for the Determination of Inorganic Elements by Atomic/Mass Spectrometry

Abstract:

This work presents an overview of the development of dry ashing preparation techniques for solid and quasisolid sample analysis by atomic and inorganic mass spectrometry, including flame/graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, chemical vapor generation atomic absorption/fluorescence spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission/mass spectrometry. This article also summarizes all of the dry ashing methods reported in the past 20 years. The dry ashing methods applied to sample preparation are classified as electrothermal ashing, microwave ashing, oxygen combustion, and other special ashing methods including laser, ultraviolet (UV)/ozone, and plasma. Moreover, the development of relevant devices is discussed in context.     

悬浮液进样石墨炉原子吸收法测定茶叶中镍含量

本文介绍了一种悬浮液进样石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定茶叶中镍含量的方法.讨论了悬浮液制备、样品粒径、取样量、悬浮液酸度及扣背景方式等因素对测定结果的影响.经优化后,方法检出限为0.32mg/kg,精密度3.64%,回收率102%.方法简单快速,效率高,劳动强度低,是测定茶叶中镍含量的高效方法.     

Trace Metals Analysis of Legal and Counterfeit Cigarette Tobacco Samples Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

A closed-vessel microwave-digestion method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of Be, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, and Pb by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Hg by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry in cigarette tobacco samples. In order to gauge the effectiveness of the digestion procedure, recovery studies were conducted using solutions prepared from National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material 1573a Trace Elements in Tomato Leaves and Polish Certified Reference Material Virginia Tobacco Leaves. Limits of detection were below 1 µg g^?1 for all elements studied. Samples from two genuine-brand and three counterfeit packs were analyzed. The mean amounts of Be, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Tl, Pb, and Hg were higher in counterfeit cigarettes, while the amounts of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, and Ba were comparable among legal and counterfeit cigarettes; the amount of Ni was higher in the legal cigarettes. Evaluation of Be, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Tl, Pb, and Hg with their potential hazards for smokers is briefly discussed.     

Analytical Evaluation of an Integrated Ultrasonic Nebulizer-hydride Generator System for Simultaneous Determination of Hydride and Non-hydride Forming Elements by Microwave Induced Plasma Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

The commercial ultrasonic nebulizer NOVA-DUO (ultrasonic nebulizer dual capillary system USN/DCS) has been evaluated for the simultaneous determination of classical hydride forming (As, Bi, Ge, Sb, Se, Sn) and conventional non-hydride forming (Ba, Ca, Fe, Li, Mg, Sr) elements by microwave induced plasma-optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES). Simultaneous mixing and nebulization of the two solutions (acidified sample and reductant) on the piezoelectric transducer, with the possibility of flow rate adjustment, permits a wide variation of sensitivity. The hydrides and aerosols were rapidly transported via a stream of Ar carrier to a MIP for simultaneous multi-element determination by OES. A univariate approach and simplex optimization procedure was used to achieve optimized conditions and derive analytical figures of merit. Analytical performance of the ultrasonic nebulization system was characterized by determination of the limits of detection (LODs) and precision (RSDs) with the USN/DCS observed at 11 µL min^?1 flow rate. The experimental concentration detection limits for simultaneous determination, calculated as the concentration giving a signal equal to three times of standard deviation of the blank (LOD, 3σ_blank criterion, peak height) were 1.3, 5.9, 6.6, 1.8, 3.6, 2.6, 41, 8.1, 11, 7.5, 9.2, and 12 ng mL^?1 for As, Bi, Ge, Sb, Se Sn, Ba, Ca, Fe, Li, Mg, and Sr, respectively. The method offers relatively good precision (RSD ranged from 9 to 13%) for liquid analysis and microsampling capability. Interference effects by transition metals have been shown to be corrected by the addition of thiourea, as a pre-reducing agent and masking agent. The accuracy of the method was verified by the use of certified reference materials (NRCC DOLT-2, NRC GBW 07302, NIST SRM 2710, NIST SRM 1643e) and by aqueous standard calibration technique. All results obtained for reference materials were in agreement with certified values at 95% confidence level by Student t-test.     

Atomic fluorescence spectrometry: A review of advances in instrumentation and novel applications

Atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) is a commonly employed method for elemental analysis employed with chemical vapor generation procedures due to its low cost and high sensitivity. Advances in AFS are reviewed for 2014 and 2015 involving instrumentation and novel applications. Major advances include novel applications of diffusive gradients in thin films, photochemical vaporization, and novel atom cells. Significant applications were reported in the fields of food, bioanalytical, materials, and environmental analysis. Atomic fluorescence was employed for elemental speciation, with emphasis on the determination of mercury and arsenic.     

萃取/反相萃取分离富集-氢化物无色散原子荧光法测定复杂地质样品中的痕量碲

采用MIBK萃取/反相萃取分离富集的方法,建立了氢化物无色散原子荧光法测定复杂地质样品中的痕量碲的新方法。实验了HCl-NaBr-MIBK体系萃取Te(Ⅳ)的能力,研究了Te(Ⅳ)在KMnO₄-HCl-MIBK体系中的反相萃取行为。当萃取条件为3.6 mol·L-1HCl-100 g·L-1NaBr时,Te(Ⅳ)可被MIBK完全萃取;用HCl-KMnO₄氧化MIBK相中的Te(Ⅳ),水相反相萃取Te(Ⅵ),成功分离了氢化物原子荧光法测定Te的Au,Ag,Pt,Pd,Cu,Pb,Co,Ni,Cd,As,Sb,Bi,Hg,Tl和Se等干扰元素,方法检出限为1.14×10-4 μg·g-1,相对标准偏差为6.84%,对国家标准物质样品分析的结果与所给参考值吻合,可用于复杂地质样品中痕量Te的测定。     

悬浮体制样石墨炉原子吸收光谱法直接测定板栗中微量铅

报道了以磷酸氢二铵为基体改进剂,采用悬浮体制样石墨炉原子吸收光谱法(GFAAS)测定板栗中微量铅的方法。对悬浮体的制备、基体改进剂的选择及用量、灰化温度、原子化温度、常见元素对测定的干扰等进行了研究。在优化实验条件下,本法的检出限为0.47 ng·mL-1,相对标准偏差(RSD)为6.1%,加标回收率在90%～106%之间。     

Characterization of Conifers and Their Products by Optical Atomic Spectrometry

Abstract

Conifers are primarily evergreen trees that are widely distributed; admired for their beauty; used as biomonitors for elements; processed for lumber, paper, fuel, and other products; and employed for food and medicinal products. Optical atomic spectrometry includes the widely used elemental analysis techniques of atomic absorption, atomic emission, and atomic fluorescence. This review considers applications of optical atomic spectrometry for conifers and their products. The goal is to assemble these diverse applications to assist analytical chemists and associated scientists in the development of methodology. The conclusion summarizes these studies and forecasts future developments.     

微波消解-冷原子荧光法测定煤中痕量汞

微波消解技术具有样品溶解完全、污染少、节约试剂和方便快捷等特点。文章采用微波消解预处理煤样 ,并用冷原子荧光法测定样品中的痕量汞。采用硝酸 盐酸 氢氟酸消解体系 ,进行了微波消解条件的选择 ,并考察了载气流量、屏蔽气流量、负高压和干扰等对测定的影响。在选定的操作条件下 ,汞的检出限为0 0 3ng·mL-1,相对标准偏差 (n =7)小于 5 %。方法准确、快速和方便 ,利用国家标准参考物质煤飞灰GBW 0 84 0 1验证了方法的准确度 ,测定值与参考值基本吻合     

Flame Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry: A Review

Abstract

Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is one of the most widespread traditional analytical techniques for trace element determination, but it often suffers from poor sensitivity due to the low nebulization efficiency and the short residence time of free atoms in the flame. On the basis of conventional FAAS, flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (FF-AAS) is developed with a tube (flame furnace) placed on top of the FAAS burner for the atomization. Sample is introduced via beam injection (BIFF-AAS) or thermospray (TS-FF-AAS). Due to the total sample introduction and prolonged residence time of free atoms in the flame furnace, marked sensitivity improvement is obtained for volatile and semivolatile elements over conventional FAAS. TS-FF-AAS can be employed as an element-selective detector for GC, HPLC, or CE for studying of metal speciation analysis and metallomics. In addition, three newly developed sample introduction methods, including ultrasonic nebulization, hydride generation, and pneumatic nebulization, are discussed. The analytical figures of merit and practical applications of FF-AAS in analytical atomic spectrometry are reviewed in this article.     

氢化物发生辅助雾化火焰原子吸收法测定人发中的铅

使用氢化物发生辅助雾化的火焰原子吸收法,在K₃Fe(CN)₆-HCl体系中,测定了头发中铅的含量。对酸度、氧化剂及浓度、NaBH₄的浓度及流速对Pb测定的影响分别进行了研究。与传统雾化火焰原子吸收法相比,本方法测铅的灵敏度提高了13.4倍。方法的检出限为2.8 μg·L-1,精密度(RSD)为1.4%。用于测定人发中的Pb,回收率达96%～99%。     

ICP-MS测定中草药狼毒中稀土和微量元素

研究了电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)测定中草药狼毒中稀土和微量元素的方法,样品处理通过低温灰化方法与硝酸-过氧化氢消解方法比较,实验确认微量元素采用低温灰化法制备样品, 稀土元素采用酸消化法制备样品,可以满足该方法检测要求,具有测试方法准确、快速等优点。 方法的准确度在1.21%～15.15%, 精密度在0.38%～8.54%之间。 该方法完全可以满足中草药样品中稀土和微量元素检测要求。     

Diethyldithiophosphate (DDTP): A Review on Properties,General Applications,and Use in Analytical Spectrometry

Abstract: The compound O,O-diethyldithiophosphate, also known as diethyldithiophosphate or DDTP, is employed in a variety of applications, from organic synthesis to extraction/separation of metals in preconcentration procedures. This reagent gained importance especially after preliminary investigations dated from the 1960s, which demonstrated its high stability in acidic medium and high selectivity and efficiency in complex formation reactions with metals and metalloids. The presence of two sulfur atoms and one phosphorus atom in the DDTP molecule turns this bidentate ligand into a versatile chelating agent, allowing the formation of complexes with a number of different geometric arrangements. In addition to the fact that the synthesis of DDTP is simpler in comparison to those of other dithiophosphates, it possesses other advantageous characteristics such as relatively low toxicity, high solubility in aqueous medium, high extraction efficiency from organic to aqueous media, and high redox potential. This review will summarize the main characteristics of DDTP, including some historical facts and information on its synthesis, structure, and toxicity, as well as other characteristics and numerous application examples. Special attention will be given to the reported analytical methods that use DDTP as a complexing agent in preconcentration procedures prior to analyte determination using spectrometric techniques.     

氢化物-原子荧光法测定锑精矿中痕量砷、汞的研究

研究了氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱测定锑精矿中痕量砷汞的分析方法,并对溶样方法及共存元素的干扰进行了研究。发现用王水溶解样品完全,砷汞溶出量最大;加入硫脲-抗坏血酸后,锑精矿中干扰元素的干扰基本消除;通过加入酒石酸抑制基体锑的水解,从而不需通过化学分离,直接测定锑精矿中的痕量砷汞,并用于实际样品的测定。方法的检出限分别为：砷0.220 ng·mL-1, 汞 0.002 ng·mL-1, 相对标准偏差(RSD% n=11)分别为1.47%和0.52%,回收率分别为94.0%～103.0%和98.7%～102.8%。方法具有快速、准确、灵敏度高等优点。