Determination of mercury and methylmercury in seafood by ion chromatography using photo-induced chemical vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometric detection

A novel method based on photo-induced chemical vapor generation (CVG) as interface to on-line coupled Hg-cysteine ion chromatograpy (IC) with atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) was developed for rapid determination of methylmercury (MHg) in seafood. Separation of inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺) and methylmercury(CH₃Hg⁺) was accomplished on a Hamilton PRP X-200 polymer-based exchange column with a mobile of 3% acetonitrile, 1% (w/w) L-cysteine and 20 mmol L^{− 1} pyridine and 160 mmol L^{− 1} formic acid, at pH 2.4 within 7 min. Once separated, both species are reduced by formic acid in mobile phase under UV radiation to convert Hg⁰ on-line, which is subsequently swept (by argon carrier gas) into an atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) for measurement. Under the optimized experiment conditions, the detection limits (as Hg), based on three times the standard deviation of a standard solution, were found to be 0.1 ng mL^{− 1} for mercury and 0.08 ng mL^{− 1} for methylmercury, with an injection volume of 100 μL. The developed method was validated by determination of certified reference material DORM-2 and was further applied in determination of seafood samples.     

Hyphenation of flow injection/sequential injection with chemical hydride/vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

The dominant role played by flow injection/sequential injection (FI/SI, including lab-on-valve, LOV) in automatic on-line sample pretreatments coupling to various detection techniques is amply demonstrated by the large number of publications it has given rise to. Among these, its hyphenation with hydride/vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG/VG-AFS) has become one of the most attractive sub-branches during the last years, attributed not only to the high sensitivity of this technique, but also to the superb separation capability of hydride/vapor forming elements from complex sample matrices. In addition, it also provides potentials for the speciation of the elements of interest.It is worth mentioning that quite a few novel developments of sample pretreatment have emerged recently, which attracted extensive attentions from the related fields of research. The aim of this mini-review is thus to illustrate the state-of-the-art progress of implementing flow injection/sequential injection and miniaturized lab-on-valve systems for on-line hydride/vapor generation separation and preconcentration of vapor forming elements followed with detection by atomic fluorescence spectrometry, within the period from 2004 up to now. Future perspectives in this field are also discussed.     

Flame-in-gas-shield miniature flame hydride atomizers for ultra trace element determination by chemical vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Flame-in-gas shield miniature hydride atomizers (FIGS) have been investigated and evaluated in view of their alternative use to miniature diffusion flame hydride atomizer (MDF) to determination of hydride forming elements by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Chemical vapour generation (CVG) by aqueous phase derivatization by NaBH₄ in a continuous flow generator (CF) was employed for the generation of volatile hydrides of As, Sb, Bi, Se, Te and Sn. A dispersive AFS apparatus using electrodeless discharge lamps (EDL) as the excitation sources has been employed for both spectra acquisition and analytical determinations. The characteristics of FIGS in terms of background emission spectra, most intense AF spectral lines and limits of detection were compared with those of most popular MDF. FIGS presents a lower background emission with respect to MDF, allowing also the control of the molecular fluorescence of OH radicals in the determination of bismuth. Limits of detection for FIGS compare very well with to those obtained by MDF giving improvement factor of 5.5, 4.4, 3.6, 3.6, 0.7 an 0.5 for Bi, As, Se, Son, Te and Sb. Accuracy of FIGS has proven by determination of arsenic and antimony in seawater (NASS-5) and river water (SRLS-4) certified reference materials and bismuth in unalloyed copper (CuV 398, CuVI 399) standard reference materials by dispersive CVG-AFS.     

Chemical vapor generation of noble metals for analytical spectrometry

As is apparent from the literature devoted to the analytical atomic spectrometry, chemical vapor generation (CVG) of noble metals by reaction with tetrahydroborate in acidic media may enhance the introduction of these elements into different atomic spectrometric sources. Recent developments in the CVG of noble metals species by reaction with tetrahydroborate in acidic medium are surveyed. Different aspects of this novel technique are discussed, including type of instrumentation used for the reaction, separation and transport of the species, effect of chemical and physical factors, identification of the species, and the efficiency of the process. Limitations and future prospects of the CVG technique are discussed.     

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 in neat and water-containing imidazolium-based ionic liquids

Energetically efficient electrochemical reduction of CO₂ would offer the possibility of storing electricity from renewables in the form of fuels and other valuable chemicals. It may also help mitigate the increase of atmospheric CO₂ associated with global warming. However, the process suffers from a low energy efficiency because of the large overpotentials required. In aqueous electrolytes, the competing hydrogen evolution reaction also decreases the faradaic efficiency (which contributes to the low energy efficiency of the process). Recent claims of high faradaic efficiency and low overpotentials for the reduction of CO₂ in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) and RTIL–water mixtures have spurred considerable research. Here, we offer a critical review of those claims and of recent work aimed at understanding the details of this important reaction in these nonconventional electrolytes.     

Mechanisms involved in chemical vapor generation by aqueous tetrahydroborate(III) derivatization : Role of hexacyanoferrate(III) in plumbane generation

The role played by K₃Fe(CN)₆ (0.08 or 1.5 g l^− 1) in producing strong enhancement factors in the generation efficiency of plumbane in the reaction of NaBH₄ (10 or 40 g l^− 1) with Pb(II) (50 μg l^− 1) in 0.1 M HCl solution, was investigated by using continuous flow chemical vapor generation coupled with atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CF-CVG-AFS). Different mixing sequences and reaction times of reagents were tested using different chemifold setups. Part of CF-CVG-AFS experiments were performed using the on-line, delayed addition of Pb(II) to a K₃Fe(CN)₆ + NaBH₄ reaction mixture. Kinetic calculations estimating the concentration of K₃Fe(CN)₆ remaining in the K₃Fe(CN)₆ + NaBH₄ reaction mixture before it merged with Pb(II) solution were also performed. Batch experiments measuring the amount of hydrogen evolved (pressure of H₂ vs time) and pH variation during K₃Fe(CN)₆ + NaBH₄ + HCl reaction were performed in order to have a correct estimation of the concentration of K₃Fe(CN)₆ remaining in the reaction system. The comparison of CF-CVG-AFS experiments with kinetic calculations indicates that strong enhancement factors of plumbane generation can be obtained without any interaction of K₃Fe(CN)₆ with Pb(II). The key role of K₃Fe(CN)₆ is recognized in its reaction with NaBH₄ to give “special” borane complex intermediates, which are highly effective in the generation of plumbane from Pb(II).     

UV photochemical vapor generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination of conventional hydride generation elements

A systematic investigation of UV photochemical vapor generation (photo-CVG) and its potential application for seven typical hydride-forming elements (As, Sb, Bi, Te, Sn, Pb and Cd) when combined with atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) detection is presented. These analyte ions were converted to volatile species following UV irradiation of their aqueous solution to which low molecular weight organic acids (such as formic, acetic or propionic acid) had been added, and introduced to an atomic fluorescence spectrometer for subsequent analytical measurements. The experimental conditions for photo-CVG and the interferences arising from concomitant elements were carefully investigated. Limits of detection as low as 0.08, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 ng mL^− 1 were obtained for Te, Bi, Sb and As, respectively, comparable to those by hydride generation-AFS. The RSDs obtained with the proposed method for these elements were better than 5% at 50 ng mL^− 1. It is noteworthy that the presence of TiO₂ nanoparticles combined with UV irradiation remarkably enhances the CVG efficiencies of Se(VI) and Te(VI), which cannot form hydrides with KBH₄/NaBH₄. Moreover, photo-CVG has a greater tolerance toward interferences arising from transition elements than hydride generation, and this facilitates its application to the analysis of complicated sample matrices.     

电化学冷蒸气发生-原子荧光光谱法测定人发中的痕量汞

采用自制的电化学流通池作为汞蒸气发生器,以玻碳为阴极材料,结合原子荧光光谱法,在断续流动条件下,建立了电化学冷蒸气发生法-原子荧光光谱联用技术(ECVG-AFS)对汞的分析方法.在优化的实验条件下,汞在0～5.0μg/L范围内荧光强度与浓度呈良好的线性关系,汞的检出限为1.2 ng/L.对1μg/L Hg测定的相对标准偏差为1.8%(n=11).可用于人发标准样品中汞的测定.     

Photochemical vapor generation of carbonyl for ultrasensitive atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination of cobalt

UV photochemical vapor generation (photo-CVG) as sample introduction was first adapted for determination of ultratrace cobalt by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Cobalt volatile species can be generated when the buffer system of formic acid and formate containing Co (II) is exposed to UV radiation. The generated gaseous products were separated from liquid phase within a gas–liquid separator and then transported to AFS for determination of cobalt. Factors affecting the efficiency of photo-CVG were investigated in detail, including type and concentration of low molecular weight (LMW) organic acid, buffer system, UV irradiation time, reaction temperature, carrier gas flow rate and hydrogen flow rate. With 4% (v/v) HCOOH and 0.4 mol L^{− 1} HCOONa buffer solution, 150 s irradiation time and 15 W low pressure mercury lamp, a generation efficiency of 23–25% was achieved. A limit of detection (LOD) of 0.08 ng mL^{− 1} without any pre-concentration procedure and a precision of 2.2% (RSD, n = 11) at 20 ng mL^{− 1} were obtained under the optimized conditions. The proposed method was successfully applied in the analysis of several simple matrix real water samples.     

Advantages and analytical applications of chloride generation. A review on vapor generation methods in atomic spectrometry

This review summarizes and discusses the analytical methods and techniques more frequently described in the literature for vapor generation as a mode of sample introduction into atomization/excitation cells. The volatile compounds have been classified into the following classes: hydrides, oxides, chelates, alkyls and halides. To estimate the well-established trends and tendencies, some representative papers devoted to vapor generation are mentioned. Special emphasis is given to discuss the advantages and analytical applications of chloride generation.     

Determination of mercury by electrochemical cold vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry using polyaniline modified graphite electrode as cathode

An electrochemical cold vapor generation system with polyaniline modified graphite electrode as cathode material was developed for Hg (II) determination by coupling with atomic fluorescence spectrometry. This electrochemical cold vapor generation system with polyaniline/graphite electrode exhibited higher sensitivity; excellent stability and lower memory effect compared with graphite electrode electrochemical cold vapor generation system. The relative standard deviation was 2.7% for eleven consecutive measurements of 2 ng mL^− 1 Hg (II) standard solution and the mercury limit of detection for the sample blank solution was 1.3 рg mL^− 1 (3σ). The accuracy of the method was evaluated through analysis of the reference materials GBW09101 (Human hair) and GBW 08517 (Laminaria Japonica Aresch) and the proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of human hairs.     

Determination of mercury by intermittent flow electrochemical cold vapor generation coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A novel method for determination of mercury was developed using an intermittent flow electrochemical cold vapor generation coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry (IF-ECVG-AFS). The mercury vapor was generated on the surface of glassy carbon cathode in the flow cell. The operating conditions for the electrochemical generation of mercury vapor were investigated in detail, and the interferences from various ions were evaluated. Under the optimized conditions, no evident memory effects of mercury were observed. The calibration curve was linear up to 5 μg L⁻¹ Hg at 0.54 A cm⁻². A detection limit of 1.2 ng L⁻¹ Hg and a relative standard deviation of 1.8% for 1 μg L⁻¹ Hg were obtained. The accuracy of method was verified by the determination of mercury in the certified reference human hair. The ECVG avoided the use of reductants, thereby greatly reducing the contamination sources. In addition, the manifold of IF-ECVG-AFS was simple and amenable to automation.     

Effect of water on the interfacial structures of room-temperature ionic liquids

The interfacial structures of cyano-based room-temperature ionic liquids play a very important role in reducing friction. However, the presence of water impairs their tribological performance. The interfacial structures and friction forces of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide, [EMIM][DCN], and the effect of water on these structures and forces were investigated using atomic force microscopy. In addition, the interaction of water and [EMIM][DCN] was evaluated using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Multiple repulsive layers were observed in the [EMIM][DCN] solution. This solution showed low friction force because these repulsive layers worked as protective layers against friction. On the other hand, the specific repulsive layer characteristics of [EMIM][DCN] could not be observed in a [EMIM][DCN] + 2 wt% H₂O solution. FT-IR results indicated that the layer structure of [EMIM][DCN] was disturbed by the addition of H₂O. Therefore, the solution containing water exhibited a high friction force.     

Organic,inorganic and total mercury determination in fish by chemical vapor generation with collection on a gold gauze and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for organic, inorganic and total mercury determination in fish tissue has been developed using chemical vapor generation and collection of mercury vapor on a gold gauze inside a graphite tube and further atomization by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. After drying and cryogenic grinding, potassium bromide and hydrochloric acid solution (1 mol L^− 1 KBr in 6 mol L^− 1 HCl) was added to the samples. After centrifugation, total mercury was determined in the supernatant. Organomercury compounds were selectively extracted from KBr solution using chloroform and the resultant solution was back extracted with 1% m/v L-cysteine. This solution was used for organic Hg determination. Inorganic Hg remaining in KBr solution was directly determined by chemical vapor generation electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Mercury vapor generation from extracts was performed using 1 mol L^− 1 HCl and 2.5% m/v NaBH₄ solutions and a batch chemical vapor generation system. Mercury vapor was collected on the gold gauze heated resistively at 80 °C and the atomization temperature was set at 650 °C. The selectivity of extraction was evaluated using liquid chromatography coupled to chemical vapor generation and determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The proposed method was applied for mercury analysis in shark, croaker and tuna fish tissues. Certified reference materials were used to check accuracy and the agreement was better than 95%. The characteristic mass was 60 pg and method limits of detection were 5, 1 and 1 ng g^− 1 for organic, inorganic and total mercury, respectively. With the proposed method it was possible to analyze up to 2, 2 and 6 samples per hour for organic, inorganic and total Hg determination, respectively.     

Optical and diffractive studies of pyridinium-based ionic liquids

Electronic absorption, steady-state fluorescence spectra and X-ray diffraction patterns for several pyridinium-based ionic liquids (ILs) (1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, 1-octyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate and 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium dicyanamide) have been obtained. A systematic study has been performed for different ILs in terms of structural characteristics obtaining remarkable results. The present characterisation, centre of attention in theoretical and practical fields, leads to understand the complex behaviour of such compounds and is an essential step for their potential development as new solvents in extended applications.     

Direct determination of mercury in white vinegar by matrix assisted photochemical vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry detection

This paper proposes the use of photochemical vapor generation with acetic acid as sample introduction for the direct determination of ultra-trace mercury in white vinegars by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Under ultraviolet irradiation, the sample matrix (acetic acid) can reduce mercury ion to atomic mercury Hg⁰, which is swept by argon gas into an atomic fluorescence spectrometer for subsequent analytical measurements. The effects of several factors such as the concentration of acetic acid, irradiation time, the flow rate of the carrier gas and matrix effects were discussed and optimized to give detection limits of 0.08 ng mL⁻¹ for mercury. Using the experimental conditions established during the optimization (3% v/v acetic acid, 30 s irradiation time and 20 W mercury lamp), the precision levels, expressed as relative standard deviation, were 4.6% (one day) and 7.8% (inter-day) for mercury (n = 9). Addition/recovery tests for evaluation of the accuracy were in the range of 92–98% for mercury. The method was also validated by analysis of vinegar samples without detectable amount of Hg spiked with aqueous standard reference materials (GBW(E) 080392 and GBW(E) 080393). The results were also compared with those obtained by acid digestion procedure and determination of mercury by ICP-MS. There was no significant difference between the results obtained by the two methods based on a t-test (at 95% confidence level).     

Critical evaluation of the application of photochemical vapor generation in analytical atomic spectrometry

Chemical vapor generation (CVG) is a widely adopted sample introduction method for analytical atomic spectrometry. Nonvolatile precursors (usually ionic, metallic or organometallic species) can be transferred from the condensed phase to the gas phase, yielding the advantages of efficient matrix separation, high analyte transport efficiency, high selectivity, simple instrumentation, and ease of automation. Hydride generation enjoys the greatest popularity as a consequence of its ease of implementation, fast reaction and high yield; but photo-CVG, a newly emerging research field in analytical chemistry, may provide a powerful alternative to conventional CVG due to its simplicity, versatility and cost effectiveness. Although photocatalytic pre-reduction has been used for a number of years, the most attractive aspect of this newly emerging area is the direct generation of volatile species using photochemical reactions. Recent studies undertaken with flow through and batch reactors employing low molecular weight organic acids as photochemical agents are highlighted in this study for such systems as mercury and selenium, as well as reaction mechanisms considered for these processes. Discussion is focused on recent advances in photo-CVG, which we believe will become the subject of intensive future research initiatives.     

Efficient generation of volatile species for cadmium analysis in seafood and rice samples by a modified chemical vapor generation system coupled with atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A vapor generation procedure to determine Cd by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) has been established. Volatile species of Cd are generated by following reaction of acidified sample containing Fe(II) and l-cysteine (Cys) with sodium tetrahydroborate (NaBH₄). The presence of 5 mg L⁻¹ Fe(II) and 0.05% m/v Cys improves the efficiency of Cd vapor generation substantially about four-fold compared with conventional thiourea and Co(II) system. Three experiments with different mixing sequences and reaction times are designed to study the reaction mechanism. The results document that the stability of Cd(II)–Cys complexes is better than Cys–THB complexes (THB means NaBH₄) while the Cys–THB complexes have more contribution to improve the Cd vapor generation efficiency than Cd(II)–Cys complexes. Meanwhile, the adding of Fe(II) can catalyze the Cd vapor generation. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limit of Cd is 0.012 μg L⁻¹; relative standard deviations vary between 0.8% and 5.5% for replicate measurements of the standard solution. In the presence of 0.01% DDTC, Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) have no significant influence up to 5 mg L⁻¹, 10 mg L⁻¹and 10 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The accuracy of the method is verified through analysis of the certificated reference materials and the proposed method has been applied in the determination of Cd in seafood and rice samples.