Determination of rhodium in waters by Mg–W cell-electrodeposition and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A new concentration method of rhodium using Mg–W cell-electrodeposition has been developed. The method was combined with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with a tungsten tube atomizer. The optimal immersing time was 120 s. The most suitable pH for rhodium electrodeposition was 1.0. Under optimal conditions, the detection limit of rhodium by the ETAAS with the preconcentration was 13 ng ml −1 (3S/N). The severe interferences on the AAS signal of rhodium by large amounts of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Na, Pb and Zn were eliminated by the Mg–W cell-electrodeposition method. The method was applied to the determination of rhodium in river and sea water. The recovery of rhodium spiked environmental samples was in the range of 95.6–109%. The present Mg–W cell-electrodeposition method can be utilized in in-situ sampling of trace elements in environmental samples (water). Furthermore, after sampling, it is easy to carry and store the W-sheet without contamination for a long time.