Determination of Te in soldering tin using continuous flowing electrochemical hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

An electrochemical hydride generation system was developed for the detection of Te by coupling an electrochemical hydride generator with atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Since TeH₂ is unstable and easily decomposes in solution, a reticular W filament cathode was used in the present system. The TeH₂ generated on the cathode surface was effectively driven out by sweeping gas from the cathode chamber. In addition, a low temperature electrochemical cell (10 °C) was applied to reduce the decomposition of TeH₂ in solution. The limit of detection (LOD) was 2.2 ng ml^− 1 and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.9% for nine consecutive measurements of standard solution. This method was successfully employed for determination of Te in soldering tin material.