Miniaturization of flow-through generation cells for electrochemical hydride generation in AAS

The construction and optimization of five new types of miniaturized flow-through electrolytic cells with lead cathode and platinum anode for electrochemical hydride generation in atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-QFAAS) were achieved during this research study. The ion-exchange membrane was not part of these cells and only one carrying electrolyte for both electrode chambers was used. Hydride generation efficiency achieved was either comparable or higher than the one recorded for the classic thin-layer generation cell. The inner volume of the cathode chamber was reduced to a quarter of the classic thin-layer flow-through cell. Compared to the commonly used thin-layer flow-through cell, higher sensitivity (7.32×10³ dm³ μg⁻¹) and better limit of detection (0.32 μg dm⁻³) were obtained for selenium determination using two of these new generators.