Multi-element Simultaneous sensitization of solution cathode glow discharge atomic emission spectrometry by using portable semiconductor anode refrigeration

Abstract

In this study, a modified solution cathode glow discharge atomic emission spectrometry (SCGD-AES) was used to detect metal elements in electroplating sewage. The SCGD-AES device was equipped with a portable semiconductor anode refrigeration unit, which was built independently. The red-heat effect of tungsten electrode was alleviated by adding the portable refrigeration unit, thus improving thermal stability with the withstand voltage from 1040 V to 1140 V. Compared with the devices without semiconductor refrigeration, the chromium was excited more favorable when the discharge voltage increased, and the limit of detection (LOD) decreased by 8.5 times. Furthermore, the LODs of Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu and Pb decreased by 1.8–3.2 times, respectively, which realized the detection of elements in electroplating sewage and showed high performance in the field of trace elements analysis. Furthermore, the accuracy of the method was verified by stream sediment reference material (GBW07312), and the results were consistent with the certified values. The recoveries of elements added to industrial sewage and seawater range were from 90.5 to 98.7%, demonstrating good accuracy of the proposed method.