Exploding wire excitation for trace analysis of Hg, Cd, Pb and Ni using electrodeposition for preconcentration

The use of exploding silver wires for spectrochemical excitation is described. The apparatus used in these studies is discussed along with the electrical and radiative properties of exploding silver wires. The use of controlled-potential electrodeposition onto silver wires for sample introduction is considered. Experimental parameters for electrodeposition and exploding-wire excitation are presented. Cd, Ni, Hg and Pb are considered for analysis and show absolute detection limits of 10 ng, 10 ng, 30 ng and 15 ng, respectively. These amounts of material on the wire represent relative detection limits of 0.001 ppm, 0.002 ppm, 0.003 ppm and 0.001 ppm respectively in the analytical solutions. The exploding wire excitation method exhibits minimal matrix dependency and good reproducibility. Percent relative standard deviations for Cd, Ni, Hg and Pb are ±17.3%, ±16.6%, ±26.5% and ±12.4%, respectively. Sample introduction by controlled-potential electrodeposition offers not only a convenient means of preconcentrating trace metals from solution but also the possibility of selectively plating one element in the presence of a large excess of other elements in solution.