Use of sodium tungstate as a permanent chemical modifier for slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of indium in soils

A number of chemical modifiers have been assessed for the direct determination of indium in soils using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and slurry sampling. The best results were obtained when the graphite atomizer was impregnated with sodium tungstate, which acts as a permanent chemical modifier. Slurries were prepared by suspending 100 mg sample in a solution containing 1% (v/v) concentrated nitric acid and 10% (v/v) concentrated hydrofluoric acid and then 15-microL aliquots were directly introduced into the atomizer. Standard indium solutions prepared in the suspension medium in the range 4-80 microg L(-1) indium were used for calibration. The relative standard deviation for ten consecutive measurements of a 40 microg L(-1) indium solution was 2.8%. The limit of detection in soils was 0.1 microg g(-1). The reliability of the procedures was confirmed by analysing two standard reference materials and by using an alternative procedure.     

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of lead in high-purity reagents with flow-injection on-line microcolumn preconcentration and separation using a macrocycle immobilized silica gel sorbent

A fully automated procedure for the determination of ng l⁻¹ amounts of lead has been developed using flow injection (FI) online column preconcentration coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The proposed FI manifold and its operation make possible the introduction of the total eluate volume into the graphite atomizer, avoiding the necessity for optimization of subsampling the eluate. The interference of other heavy metal ions due to competition for active sites of the sorbent is overcome using a highly selective macrocycle immobilized on silica gel (Pb-02). Lead is adsorbed on a microcolumn (50 μl) packed with Pb-02, and after washing the column with dilute nitric acid, air is introduced to remove all solution from the column and connecting tubing. The sorbed analyte is then eluted quantitatively into the graphite tube atomizer, preheated to 100°C, with 36 μl of ETDA solution (0.035 mol l⁻¹, pH 10.5), propelled by air in order to minimize dispersion. The collection efficiency was 77% and with a sample loading flow rate of 3 ml min⁻¹ and a 60 s preconcentration time, the enhancement factor was 77 and the throughput was 17 samples per hour. The relative standard deviation (n = 10) at the 300 ng l⁻¹ level was 2.7%, and the detection limit (3σ) was 0.4 ng l⁻¹. No interference from heavy metals was observed, but ions of Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺ and K⁺ were found to interfere when the concentration ratios of interferent to lead exceeded values of 2000, 20 000 and 200 000, respectively. Quantitative recovery of lead was achieved from sodium, magnesium, aluminum, lanthanum and heavy metal salt solutions. The high selectivity and sensitivity, combined with extremely low blank values, make the proposed technique particularly attractive for the analysis of high-purity reagents, semiconductors and other high-purity materials. Results are presented for the determination of lead in some high-purity reagents.     

Influence of sample deposition and coating with Zr and Pd on the atomization kinetics of germanium in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Atomization of germanium from zirconium-coated (ZrGT), palladium-coated (PdGT) and palladium-zirconium-coated graphite tubes (PZGT) by aqueous deposition of the analyte solution and/or the trapping of the gaseous hydride has been investigated. From the activation energies calculated based on Smets' method, it was found that both the mode of sample introduction and the nature of the atomizer surface have an effect on the atom formation of germanium. Activation energies E_a of 383.9 ± 17.1, 445.8 ± 19.8 and 557.9 ± 12.4 kJ mol⁻¹ were observed for germanium atomization from ZrGT, PZGT and PdGT, respectively. A much larger E_a value of 950.2 ± 13.1 kJ mol⁻¹ was obtained for Ge from PdGT by the trapping of GeH₄. XPS results do not give sufficient evidence for Pd-Ge compound formation.     

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of cadmium in bangladeshi vegetables with a metal tube atomizer and slurry sampling technique

Ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a molybdenum tube atomizer has been applied for the determination of cadmium in vegetable samples in Bangladesh. The suspension-stabilizing medium was 10% glycerol solution. The optimum pyrolysis temperature was 300°C. The detection limit was 13?fg (3S/N). Matrix element interference was studied and it was found that thiourea as a chemical modifier eliminated the interference. The results for the determination of cadmium in vegetable samples by the proposed method were in good agreement with those measured in dissolved acid-digested samples. The method enables rapid calibration, and simple and rapid analysis of cadmium in vegetable samples at low cost.     

Determination of Antimony in Sediments by Zeeman-Corrected Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with Ultrasonic Slurry Sampling

A method was developed for the determination of antimony in slurried sediments (on the basis of samples of three Certified Reference Materials) by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with Zeeman-effect background correction. Slurried samples were prepared in 6% nitric acid containing 0.02% of Triton X-100. A mixed palladium/magnesium chemical matrix modifier, L'vov platform atomization and a temperature-time program with a relatively short (10 s) sample pyrolysis stage were used. The results of the determinations by this technique are in very close agreement with certified values and the repeatability of this analytical procedure expressed in terms of relative standard deviation was typically better than 9% at the slurry concentration of approx. 90 mg/2 mL. The characteristic mass of Sb (at the spectral line 231.1 nm) was 25.6 pg and the limit of detection (calculated for 100 mg/2 mL slurry) was about 0. 04 μg/g.     

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of arsenic in essential lavender and rose oils

Analytical procedures for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric (ETAAS) determination of arsenic in essential oils from lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) and rose (Rosa damascena) are described. For direct ETAAS analysis, oil samples are diluted with ethanol or i-propanol for lavender and rose oil, respectively. Leveling off responses of four different arsenic species (arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonate and dimethylarsinate) is achieved by using a composite chemical modifier: l-cysteine (0.05 g l⁻¹) in combination with palladium (2.5 μg) and citric acid (100 μg). Transverse-heated graphite atomizer (THGA) with longitudinal Zeeman-effect background correction and ‘end-capped’ graphite tubes with integrated pyrolytic graphite platforms, pre-treated with Zr-Ir for permanent modification are employed as most appropriate atomizer. Calibration with solvent-matched standard solutions of As(III) is used for four- and five-fold diluted samples of lavender and rose oil, respectively. Lower dilution factors required standard addition calibration by using aqueous (for lavender oil) or i-propanol (for rose oil) solutions of As(III). The limits of detection (LOD) for the whole analytical procedure are 4.4 and 4.7 ng g⁻¹ As in levender and rose oil, respectively. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for As at 6-30 ng g⁻¹ levels is between 8 and 17% for both oils. As an alternative, procedure based on low temperature plasma ashing in oxygen with ETAAS, providing LODs of 2.5 and 2.7 ng g⁻¹ As in levender and rose oil, respectively, and R.S.D. within 8-12% for both oils has been elaborated. Results obtained by both procedures are in good agreement.     

Determination of tin and titanium in soils, sediments and sludges using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with slurry sample introduction

Fast-heating programmes for determining titanium and tin in soils, sediments and sludges using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with slurry sampling are developed. For titanium determination, suspensions are prepared by weighing 5-40 mg of sample and adding 25 ml of a solution containing 50% (v/v) concentrated hydrofluoric acid. For tin determination, suspensions are prepared by weighing up to 300 mg of sample and then adding 1 ml of a solution containing 25% (v/v) concentrated hydrofluoric acid. Palladium (30 μg) and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (7% w/v) are used as matrix modifiers for titanium and tin, respectively. Prior mild heating in a microwave oven is recommended for titanium determination. Calibration is carried out using aqueous standards. The tin and titanium contents of a number of samples obtained by using the slurry approach agree with those obtained by means of a procedure based on the total dissolution of the samples using microwave oven digestion. The reliability of the procedures is also confirmed by analysing several certified reference materials.     

A direct solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric method for determination of trace elements in zirconium dioxide

A direct solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric method for determination of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni and Zn in zirconium dioxide has been developed. Using optimised experimental conditions, very effective in-situ analyte/matrix separation was achieved without any chemical modification. After the measurement, the matrix residue could easily be tipped out from the platform. In the determination of Cr, before sampling, the platform bottom was covered with carbon powder. Quantification was performed using calibration curves measured with aqueous standard solutions pipetted onto the matrix residue from a previous sample run. Sample amounts between 0.5 and 40 mg were applied for each analysis cycle. The accuracy was determined by comparison of the results with those obtained by radiochemical neutron activation analysis and by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using liquid sampling of digests and slurry sampling. For the nine elements assayed, the limits of detection achievable by this method are between 0.06 ng g^–1 (Cd) and 2.3 ng g^–1 (Fe).Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius     

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.     

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of cadmium in environmental samples with niobium wire preconcentration method

A preconcentration method by adsorption of cadmium on a niobium wire was developed for the environmental waters, followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a tungsten tube atomizer. After the preconcentration, the niobium wire was directly inserted into the tungsten tube atomizer. In the preconcentration (adsorption) process of cadmium, the optimal immersing time was 60?s. The effects of large amounts of concomitants on the preconcentration of cadmium were evaluated. When 10³–10⁴ fold excess of matrix elements existed in aqueous solution at pH 4 and 9, the cadmium response was profoundly affected by the matrix elements. However, the cadmium absorption signal was not significantly influenced at pH 7. Therefore, pH 7 was selected for the application into the real environmental samples. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limit (3S/N) for cadmium by the niobium wire preconcentration method was 7.0?pg?mL^?1 and the relative standard deviation was 6.8%. The method with preconcentration on a niobium wire was applied to the determination of cadmium in water and proved to be sensitive, simple and convenient. Because this preconcentration method can be utilized in the in situ treatment of trace cadmium in environmental water samples, it was unnecessary to carry the water samples to the analytical work place. The technique was shown to be useful for the determination of cadmium in environmental water samples at 0.1–1?µg?L^?1 levels.     

Direct determination of germanium in botanical samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with palladium-zirconium as chemical modifier

A method has been described for the direct determination of trace levels of germanium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) using chemical matrix modification technique. The stabilization and the pyrolysis temperatures for germanium were investigated with various chemical modifiers including palladium, palladium–magnesium, palladium–strontium and palladium–zirconium. The highest pyrolysis temperature and highest integrated absorbance were obtained using palladium–zirconium modifier, and the severe matrix interference from sulfate can be eliminated. The characteristic mass and absolute detection limit (3σ) of germanium were found to be 16 and 12 pg, respectively. The proposed method was applied to the determination of trace levels of germanium in botanical samples with a recovery range of 92–106%. The hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometric (HGAFS) method was employed to analyze the samples and the results agree well with those obtained by GFAAS. The contents of germanium in standard reference materials were determined and the results were in good agreement with the reference values.     

Direct determination of manganese in vitamin-mineral tablets using solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Manganese in vitamin-minerals tablets was determined by solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (SS-ETAAS) using three different calibration methods, namely calibration against aqueous standards, standard addition with aqueous standards on solid samples and calibration against solid certified standards. Samples were only finely ground and introduced directly into the furnace by means of solid autosampler system without any dissolving process. Effects of different calibration techniques, temperatures and heating rates of atomization and pyrolysis steps on the accuracy and precision of the analyte elements were investigated. After optimization of the experimental parameters, there is good agreement (at 95% confidence level) between the results obtained by solid sampling and those obtained by acid digestion of samples.     

Dynamic ultrasound-assisted extraction of cadmium and lead from plants prior to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A dynamic ultrasound-assisted extraction step is proposed for the quantitative extraction of Cd and Pb from plant leaves prior to determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Beech leaves (a certified reference material—CRM 100—where the target analytes were not certified) were used for optimizing the extraction step by a multivariate approach. The samples (0.25 g) were subjected to dynamic ultrasound-assisted extraction with dilute nitric acid as extractant. The method was validated with a certified reference material BCR-062 (olive leaves) where both Cd and Pb are certified. The good agreement between the certified values and those found using the proposed method demonstrates its usefulness. The repeatability was 2.0 and 0.9% and the within-laboratory reproducibility was 7.1 and 2.8% for Cd and Pb, respectively. The precision of the method, together with its efficiency, rapidity, low cost and environmental acceptability makes it a good alternative for the determination of trace metals from plant material.     

Direct determination of cadmium in urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after in situ electrodeposition

Determination of cadmium in urine by ETAAS suffers from severe interferences deteriorating the precision and accuracy of the analysis. Electrodeposition step prior to ETAAS allows to avoid interferences and makes cadmium determination possible even at ultratrace levels. The proposed procedures involve electrolytic deposition of cadmium from acidified urine on previously electrolytically deposited palladium film on a graphite atomizer tube, followed by removal of residual solution, pyrolysis and atomization. Both electrodeposition processes take place in a drop of the respective solution (palladium nitrate modifier and acidified urine, respectively), when Pt/Ir dosing capillary serves as an anode and the graphite tube represents a cathode. The voltage is held at −3.0 V. Matrix removal is then accomplished by withdrawal of the depleted sample solution from the tube (procedure A) or the same but followed by rinsing of the deposit with 0.2 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃ (procedure B). The accuracy of both procedures was verified by recovery test. Detection limits 0.025 and 0.030 μg Cd/l of urine were achieved for A and B procedures, respectively. Both procedures are time consuming. The measurement cycle represents 5 and 7 min for A and B procedures, respectively.     

Slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of copper in herbal medicine samples with a molybdenum tube atomizer

An ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric method with a molybdenum tube atomizer has been developed for the determination of copper in herbal medicine samples. Glycerol solution (10%) was used as the slurry medium. The optimum pyrolysis temperature was 760 °C. The detection limit was 72 fg (3×S/N ratio). Matrix element interference was investigated and it was found that glycerol as a chemical modifier eliminated the interference. The amounts of copper in herbal medicines determined by the method proposed are in good accordance with those measured in dissolved acid-digested samples. The method enables rapid calibration, and simple and rapid analysis of copper in herbal medicine samples at low cost.     

Determination of vanadium content in soils by slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using KO300G as the stabilizing agent

A direct and sensitive method for the determination of vanadium concentrations in soil is developed using ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (USSSETAAS). The surfactant, KO300G, is used as the stabilizing agent. The precision and accuracy of the method are investigated. The detection limits are 0.6 and 0.7 μg 1⁻¹ for SRM Montana Soil 2711 and SRM Soil — S, respectively. The method is applied to determine the vanadium content in 10 soil samples from the Wielkopolska region.     

Continuous ultrasound-assisted extraction coupled to a flow injection-flame atomic absorption spectrometric system for calcium determination in seafood samples

Calcium was extracted on-line from solid seafood samples by a simple and rapid continuous ultrasound-assisted extraction system. This system is connected to a flow injection manifold, which allows the on-line flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of calcium. This method enables the analysis of solid samples avoiding time-consuming traditional sample preparation methods and their inherent errors. The on-line manifold for calcium determination is the simplest possible, because a volume of 250 L of acid extract is injected into an ultrapure water carrier stream. The acid extract was diluted on-line with lanthanum, which also acts as masking agent in order to avoid chemical interferences. The continuous monitoring of the calcium signal was accomplished by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A Plackett-Burman experimental design was used for the optimisation of the continuous leaching procedure. The method allowed a total sampling frequency of 40 samples per hour, with a relative standard deviation for the complete procedure of 0.9% (for a sample containing 3414.35 mg/kg calcium (dry mass)). The limit of detection was found to be 44.4 mg/kg (dry mass) for 5 mg of sample. The analytical procedure was applied to real seafood samples.     

Direct determination of aluminium in serum and urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using ruthenium as permanent modifier

Ruthenium (Ru), thermally deposited on a integrated platform graphite furnace, was investigated as a permanent modifier for the determination of Aluminum (Al) in blood serum and urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The platform was treated with 500 μg of Ru as previously described. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for each material were of 1300 and 2300 °C, for serum sample and of 1000 and 2400 °C, for urine. The characteristic mass were of 31 and 33 pg for Al in serum sample and urine, respectively (recommended of 31 pg for Al in nitric acid 0.2% (v/v)). For this reason, the calibration was made with aqueous solutions for both the samples. Calibration curves presented r of 0.99145 and 0.99991 for serum and urine, respectively. With the optimized temperatures, being analyzed eight spiked blood serum samples, the recovery was between 95.90 and 113.50%. Two certified urines samples were analyzed with good agreement between experimental and reference values. In both the samples the R.S.D. were <5% (n=3). The detection limit (k=3, n=10) was of 0.40 μg of Al per liter for both the samples. The absorption pulses obtained were symmetrical, with very low background and without interferences. The life time of the tube-platform was higher than 600 cycles of atomizations for both the urine and serum samples.     

Mechanism of aluminium spike formation and dissipation in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The mechanism of aluminium spike formation and dissipation of aluminium atoms in electrothermal atomization absorption spectrometry has been investigated using two different approaches. The first approach employs a graphite electrothermal atomizer coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) in a configuration that allows simultaneous measurement of atomic, or molecular, absorption signals and mass spectrometric signals. Aluminium sub-oxide (AlO and Al₂O) and CO(g) spikes in ICP-MS are correlated with the appearance of both Al atom spikes and Al-containing molecule spikes in absorption spectrometry. The aluminium carbide (AlC₂) signal in ICP-MS is not coincident with the appearance of either Al atom spikes or Al-containing molecule spikes in absorption spectrometry. The second approach uses two different imaging systems, i.e. shadow spectral filming (SSF) and shadow spectral digital imaging (SSDI), to provide temporally and spatially resolved absorption profiles of Al atoms and Al-containing molecules during Al spike formation and dissipation. The transverse cross-sectional distribution of Al atoms and of Al-containing molecules in the graphite furnace are complementary to one another for both wall and platform atomization. The highest concentration of Al atoms is near the graphite surface, whereas the highest concentration of Al-containing molecular species is at the centre of the graphite tube. The Al-containing molecules observed in both wall and platform atomization consist of both gaseous Al-molecules and a non-uniformly distributed cloud of finely dispersed Al₂O₃(s,1) particles. A mechanism of formation that is consistent with the above experimental observations is presented. It is proposed that Al atom spikes are formed from gaseous Al₂O precursors and that this reaction is triggered by the formation of a molten, condensed-phase Al₄C₃ melt.     

Indium determination in different environmental materials by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Amberlite XAD-2 coated with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol

Methods were developed for indium (In) determination in complex ores by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry using matrix modification after its separation with Amberlite XAD-2 coated with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN). Palladium-magnesium, nickel, and zinc nitrates were used as matrix modifiers and were compared in terms of maximum pyrolysis temperature, sensitivity and background signal. They have enhanced the absorption signals for indium, respectively eliminating the matrix interferences. The standard additions method was applied. The relative standard deviations for six replicate determinations were in the range 0.3-4.0% for indium in different ores samples for indium concentrations 7.6-209 μg g⁻¹. The recommended method was applied to the indium determination in real samples. The data obtained by this method were in good agreement with those obtained by ICP-AES.