Sodium Tetrahydroborate Concentration Research Articles

Multi-commutated flow system for inorganic selenium speciation in infusion tea samples by chemical vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

This work proposes an automated strategy for the inorganic selenium speciation in infusion tea samples, employing an MSFIA-CVG-AFS system and sodium tetrahydroborate for chemical vapor generation. The selenium total is determined after an online prereduction step of selenium (VI) to selenium (IV) in alkaline media, using a UV reactor with a 15 W Hg lamp. Selenium (IV) is quantified directly on the sample, and selenium (VI) is determined by the difference between the total selenium and selenium (IV) concentrations. The optimization of the chemical parameters: hydrochloric acid – hydrobromide acid solution concentration, potassium iodide concentration, sodium hydroxide concentration, and sodium tetrahydroborate concentration was performed using a (24−1) two-level fractional factorial design. The validation parameters were determined for total selenium and selenium (IV), and the results found were: limits of detection and quantification of 0.05 and 0.18 μg L−1, respectively; a linear range of 0.18–5.0 μg L−1, precision expressed as the relative standard deviation of 2.1% for a sample number of 10, for both analytes. The system allows the speciation analysis with an injection throughput of 15 injections per hour. This analytical method was applied for inorganic selenium speciation in nine infusions of tea samples purchased commercially in supermarkets in Palma de Mallorca City, Spain. The concentrations of selenium (IV) and total selenium varied from 0.2 to 0.6 μg L−1 and 0.4–2.0 μg L−1, respectively. The accuracy method was evaluated using spike tests, and the recoveries achieved varied from 91 to 111%.

An on-line system using ion-imprinted polymer for preconcentration and determination of bismuth in seawater employing atomic fluorescence spectrometry

This work proposes an on-line preconcentration system using ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) for determination of bismuth in seawater employing atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). The polymer was synthesized using 2- (5-bromo-2-pyridylazo) -5-diethylaminophenol (Br-PADAP) for complex formation, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), cross-linking reagent and methacrylic acid (AMA) reagents, used as the functional monomer, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile was used as the radical initiator. The polymer was characterized employing the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The determination of bismuth was performed employing hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG AFS) and the experimental conditions were optimized using a Box Behnken design involving the factors sample pH, eluent concentration and sodium tetrahydroborate concentration. So, using the optimized conditions the system allows the determination of bismuth with limits of detection and quantification of 26 and 88 ng L−1, a preconcentration factor of 19.8. All these parameters were determined using a sample volume of 25 mL. The precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD%) was 3.7% for a bismuth(III) solution of concentration 0.25 µg L−1. The system proposed was applied for the determination of bismuth in four seawater samples collected in Salvador City, Bahia State, Brazil. The concentrations obtained varied from 0.38 to 0.45 μg L−1. The accuracy was evaluated by addition/recovery test, and the recoveries found varied from 92% to 101%.

Analytical Strategies for Determination and Environmental Impact Assessment of Inorganic Antimony Species in Natural Waters Using Hydride Generation Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry (HG AFS)

This study proposes an optimized procedure for the determination of inorganic antimony species in natural waters using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG AFS) and continuous flow system. The variables of the hydride generation system, such as pre-reduction time, hydrochloric acid concentration and sodium tetrahydroborate concentration, were evaluated using full factorial design at two levels and Doehlert design. After optimized experimental conditions, the method allowed the determination of antimony with limits of detection and quantification of 9 and 30 ng L-1, respectively. The precision (RSD) of the method was < 5% and the accuracy was confirmed by the analysis of certified reference material (SLRS-4, River water for trace metals). The method was successfully applied for inorganic antimony speciation in water samples collected in Salvador City, Bahia State, Brazil. In mineral water, total Sb concentrations ranged from 0.26 to 0.30 µg L-1, whereas the concentrations of SbIII were below 0.03 µg L-1. On the other hand, in natural surface waters, the quantifiable concentration of total Sb and SbIII ranged from 0.41 to 1.23 µg L-1 and 0.23 to 1.04 µg L-1, respectively. The highest average concentrations of Sb were obtained in regions with the largest urban influence, ratifying the anthropogenic impact in water bodies.

On line automated system for the determination of Sb(V), Sb(III), thrimethyl antimony(v) and total antimony in soil employing multisyringe flow injection analysis coupled to HG-AFS

This paper proposes the use of a multisyringe flow injection analysis (MSFIA) system for inorganic antimony speciation analysis, trimethyl antimony(V) and determination of total antimony in soil samples using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS). Total antimony has been determined after reduction of antimony(V) to antimony(III) using potassium iodide and ascorbic acid. For determination of total inorganic antimony the sample is percolated in a mini-column containing the Dowex 50W-X8 resin for retention of the organic species of antimony. Antimony(III) is quantified in presence of 8-hydroxyquinoline as masking agent for antimony(V) after an extraction step of the organic antimony species using the also same mini-column. The trimethyl antimony(V) content is found by difference between total antimony and total inorganic antimony. By other hand, antimony(V) is quantified by difference between total inorganic antimony and antimony(III). The analytical determinations were performed using sodium tetrahydroborate as reducing agent. The optimization step was performed using two-level full factorial design and Doehlert matrix involving the factors: hydrochloric acid and sodium tetrahydroborate concentrations and sample flow rate. The optimized experimental conditions allow the antimony determination utilizing the external calibration technique with limits of detection and quantification of 0.9 and 3.1ngg−1, respectively, and a precision expressed as relative standard deviation of 3.2% for an antimony solution of 5.0µgL−1. The method accuracy was confirmed by analysis of the soil certified reference material furnished from Sigma-Aldrich RTC. Additionally, addition/recovery tests were performed employing synthetic solutions prepared using trimethyl antimony(V), antimony(III), antimony(V) and five soil samples. The antimony extraction step was performed in a closed system using hydrochloric acid, ultrasonic radiation and controlled temperature. The method proposed was applied for analysis of thirteen soil samples collected in different sites of the Balearic Islands, Spain, and the results obtained varied from 19 to 46ngg−1 for trimethyl antimony(V) and from 113 to 215ngg−1 for total inorganic antimony. The concentrations obtained to antimony(V) were always higher than for antimony(III) in all the analyzed samples.

Headspace single-drop microextraction with in situ stibine generation for the determination of antimony (III) and total antimony by electrothermal-atomic absorption spectrometry

A headspace-single drop microextraction method combined with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) is developed for the extraction and preconcentration of antimony(III) and total antimony into a Pd(II)-containing aqueous drop after hydride generation. Experimental variables such as hydrochloric acid and sodium tetrahydroborate concentrations, sample volume, Pd(II) concentration in the acceptor phase and microextraction time were optimized. A 26-2 IV factorial fractional design was initially used for screening the effect of the variables, followed by an univariate approach. The method showed a great freedom from interferences caused by hydride-forming elements and transition metals. The detection limit of Sb(III) was 25 pg mL−1. A preconcentration factor of 176 is achieved in 3 min. The repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation, was 4.7%. The method was validated against two certified reference materials (NWRI-TM 27.2 and NIST 2711) and applied to the determination of Sb(III) and total Sb in waters.

Hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination of As, Bi, Sb, Se(IV) and Te(IV) in aqua regia extracts from atmospheric particulate matter using multivariate optimization

A highly sensitive and simple method, based on hydride generation and atomic fluorescence detection, has been developed for the determination of As, Bi, Sb, Se(IV) and Te(IV) in aqua regia extracts from atmospheric particulate matter samples. Atmospheric particulates matter was collected on glass fiber filters using a medium volume sampler (PM1 particulate matter). Two-level factorial designs have been used to optimise the hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG–AFS) procedure. The effects of several parameters affecting the hydride generation efficiency (hydrochloric acid, sodium tetrahydroborate and potassium iodide concentrations and flow rates) have been evaluated using a Plackett–Burman experimental design. In addition, parameters affecting the hydride measurement (delay, analysis and memory times) have been also investigated. The significant parameters obtained (sodium tetrahydroborate concentration, sodium tetrahydroborate flow rate and analysis time for As; hydrochloric acid concentration and sodium tetrahydroborate flow rate for Se(IV); and sodium tetrahydroborate concentration and sodium tetrahydroborate flow rate for Te(IV)) have been optimized by using 2 n + star central composite design. Hydrochloric acid concentration and sodium tetrahydroborate flow rate were the significant parameters obtained for Sb and Bi determination, respectively. Using a univariate approach these parameters were optimized. The accuracy of methods have been verified by using several certified reference materials: SRM 1648 (urban particulate matter) and SRM 1649a (urban dust). Detection limits in the range of 6 × 10 −3 to 0.2 ng m −3 have been achieved. The developed methods were applied to several atmospheric particulate matter samples corresponding to A Coruña city (NW Spain).

Determination of inorganic arsenic species by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with variable sodium tetrahydroborate concentrations

This work describes a study on the determination of inorganic arsenic species in ground water and synthetic experimental matrices, using a flow injection system with on-line hydride generation device coupled to an atomic absorption spectrometer with flame-heated quartz atomizer (FI HG AAS). Specific trivalent arsenic determination is based on the slow kinetics of As(V) on the hydride generation reaction using sufficiently low concentrations of sodium tetrahydroborate (NaBH 4) as reductant in highly acidic conditions (pH<0). Under these conditions, the efficiency of hydride generation from As(V) is much lower than that from As(III). The pentavalent form is determined by the difference between total inorganic arsenic and As(III). As(V) interferences were studied using As(III) solutions ranging from 0% to 50% of total inorganic As. The optimized NaBH 4 concentration was 0.035% (w/v). The detection limit was 1.4 μg l −1 As(III). As(V) interferences were 6% in the case of water samples with 6 μg l −1 As(III) in the presence of 54 μg l −1 As(V) (i.e. 10% As(III)). Interferences of methylated arsenic species (MMA and DMA) were evaluated. Speciation method was satisfactorily applied to 20 field arsenical water samples from Santa Fe, Argentina, with values ranging from 30 to 308 μg l −1 total As. We found from 0% to 36% As(III) in the 20 field samples. The developed methodology constitutes an economic, simple and reliable way to evaluate inorganic arsenic distribution in underground waters or similar systems with negligible or no content of organoarsenicals.

Determination of inorganic arsenic species by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with variable sodium tetrahydroborate concentrations*1

Determination of inorganic arsenic species by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with variable sodium tetrahydroborate concentrations*1

Bismuth determination in environmental samples by hydride generation–electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A hydride generation procedure, via flow injection, coupled to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was optimised for Bi determination in sea water and hot-spring water and acid extracts from coal, coal fly ash and slag samples. The effects of several variables such as hydrochloric acid and sodium tetrahydroborate concentrations, hydrochloric acid and sodium tetrahydroborate flow rates, reaction coil length, trapping and atomisation temperatures, trapping time and the Ar flow rate have been investigated by using a 2 9*3/128 Plackett–Burman design. From these studies, certain variables (sodium tetrahydroborate concentration and trapping time) showed up as significant, and they were optimised by a 2 2+star central composite design. In addition, a study of the bismuthine trapping and atomisation efficiency from graphite tubes (GTs) permanently treated with uranium, tantalum, lanthanum oxide, niobium, beryllium oxide, chromium oxide and tantalum carbide were investigated. The results obtained were compared with those achieved by iridium and zirconium-treated GTs. The best analytical performances, with characteristic mass of 35 pg and detection limit of 70 ng l −1, were achieved by using U-treated GTs. Accuracy were checked using several reference materials: 1643d (Trace Elements in Water), TM-24 (Reference Water), GBW-07401 (Soil) and 1632c (Trace Elements in Coal).

Preliminary studies on flow-injection in situ trapping of volatile species of gold in graphite furnace and atomic absorption spectrometric determination

Volatile species of gold in acidified medium were generated at room temperature by the reduction of NaBH 4 using a flow injection vapor generation (FI-VG) system, and trapped in situ on the graphite furnace inner wall to get ETAAS detection. Reaction coil inner-wall and inside of the gas–liquid separator were conditioned by passing through a liquid containing micro amounts of Pd(II) and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) and NaBH 4. The FI manifold design, the precondition of the FI-VG system and the effect of temperature parameters for ETAAS are discussed. Optimization of the FI and chemical parameters, such as effect of sample acidity, effect of sodium tetrahydroborate concentration, effects of the flow rates for sample, reagent and carrier gas, effects of HCl and DDTC concentration in rinsing solution were investigated. A detection limit of 0.8 ng/ml (3σ) was obtained with a 40 s trapping time and a sampling frequency of 50/h. The precision of 2.2% R.S.D. ( n=11) was obtained at 50 ng/ml level. The method was used for the determination of gold in ore sample digest solution. The recoveries of gold in ore sample digest dilute solution by spiking of 25 ng/ml gold were 90–106%. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained from direct ETAAS.

Determination of total arsenic by batch hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry in injectable drugs containing high levels of Sb(V) as N-methylglucamine antimonate

A procedure for the determination of arsenic by batch hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG AAS) in commercial samples of injectable drugs, containing high concentrations of Sb(V), is described. The procedure is based on the complexing effect for Sb of citric, oxalic and acetic acids as reaction media. Aqua regia was used for sample digestion prior to As determination by HG AAS. The following experimental conditions for the determination of total As, as As(V), were evaluated: the acid medium and its concentration, sodium tetrahydroborate concentration, purge time, and influence of the different oxidation states of As. The effect of the delay time after mixing of sample and acid solution was also studied. Optimized conditions were: 10% (m/v) citric acid, 1.5% (m/v) sodium tetrahydroborate solution and 30 s for purge time. A delay time of 1 h was required after the digested sample had been mixed with citric acid, before As determination could be carried out. No interference on As(III) and As(V) signals was observed in the presence of up to 1 mg Sb(V). The tolerance limits for Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) were 1 mg, 100 μg and 100 μg, respectively. Recovery tests for As(III) and As(V) resulted in values between 97 and 101%. Characteristic mass and detection limit (3σ), using the recommended conditions, were 0.52 and 0.8 ng, respectively, for total As.

Determination of antimony(iii) and total antimony by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry in samples of injectable drugs used for leishmaniasis treatment

A procedure for the determination of Sb(III) and total Sb in commercial samples of injectable drugs based on pentavalent antimony was proposed. The drugs studied in this work are currently used for leishmaniasis treatment in many countries. Determination of Sb was performed by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry under controlled conditions for the reaction medium. The following parameters were investigated: type and concentration of acid, sodium tetrahydroborate concentration and purge time. The chosen conditions for Sb(III) were: 4% (m/v) citric acid, 1% (m/v) sodium tetrahydroborate and 10 s (a pre-reduction step was performed using 10% m/v KI in 0.2% m/v ascorbic acid solution). The same parameters for total Sb determination were: 0.5 mol l−1 sulfuric acid, 4% (m/v) sodium tetrahydroborate and 10 s. Interference from As, Ni, Cu and Pb on the analytical signal for Sb(III) was also investigated. Two kinds of commercial drugs were analyzed. The trivalent Sb concentration varied from 1.7 to 3.1 mg l−1, corresponding to 1.6 to 2.8% for the total Sb. Recovery tests for Sb(III) showed values varying from 98.9 to 101.9%. The characteristic mass for Sb(III) was 0.22 ng and the detection limit (3s) was about 1.5 ng (absolute). The main advantage of the proposed procedure is to allow the determination of Sb(III) in the presence of a large excess of pentavalent Sb (about 2000 ng).

Tin determination in marine sediment, soil, coal fly ash and coal slurried samples by hydride generation-electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Different procedures of tin hydride generation from aqueous and acidified slurries of marine sediment, soil, coal fly ash and coal samples, coupled to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry were optimised by using factorial designs. A batch mode generation system and Ir-treated graphite tubes were used for the hydride generation and atomisation, respectively. Eight variables, affecting the hydride generation and hydride transport efficiency (hydrochloric acid and sodium tetrahydroborate concentrations, particle size, acid volume and argon flow rate), the hydride trapping efficiency (trapping temperature and trapping time) and the atomisation efficiency (atomisation temperature) were studied and optimised. In addition, acid pre-treatment procedures assisted by ultrasonic energy were used for soil and coal matrices, to obtain acidified slurries and acid leachates. The involved variables were hydrochloric and nitric acid concentrations, exposure time to ultrasound, particle size and leaching solution volume. Adequate accuracy (41.5±0.8 and 1.4±0.2 mg kg −1, for PACS-1 (sediment marine) and NIST-1633b (coal fly ash), respectively) were obtained by using aqueous slurry reference materials. In addition, values of 6.2±0.6 and 1.2±0.1 mg kg −1 were assessed by analysing GBW-07401 (soil) and NIST-1632c (coal) certified reference materials.

Direct mercury determination in aqueous slurries of environmental and biological samples by cold vapour generation–electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Direct cold vapour generation from aqueous slurries of environmental (marine sediment, soil, coal) and biological (human hair, seafood) samples have been developed using a batch mode generation system coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy. The effects of several variables affecting the cold vapour generation efficiency from solid particles (hydrochloric acid and sodium tetrahydroborate concentrations, argon flow rate, acid solution volume and mean particle size) have been evaluated using a Plackett–Burman experimental design. In addition, variables affecting cold vapour trapping and atomisation efficiency on Ir-treated graphite tubes (trapping and atomisation temperatures and trapping time) have been also investigated. Atomisation and trapping temperatures, trapping time and hydrochloric acid concentration were the significant variables. The 2 2+star and 2 3+star central composite designs have been used to obtain optimum values of the variables selected. The accuracy of methods have been verified by using several certified reference materials (PACS-1, GBW-07410, NIST-1632c, CRM-397 and DORM-2). A characteristic mass of 390 pg were achieved. The detection limits of methods were in the range of 40–600 ng g −1. A particle size less than 50 μm is adequate to obtain total cold vapour generation of Hg content in the aqueous slurry particles.

Evaluation of atomic fluorescence spectrometry as a sensitive detection technique for arsenic speciation

The potential of coupling anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography, hydride generation and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC–HG–AFS) for arsenic speciation is considered. The effects of hydrochloric acid and sodium tetrahydroborate concentrations on signal-to-background ratio, as well as argon and hydrogen flow rates, were investigated. Detection limits for arsenite, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and arsenate were 0.17, 0.45, 0.30 and 0.38 μg l−1, respectively, using a 20-μl loop. Linearity ranges were 0.1–500 ng for As(III) and MMA (as arsenic), and 0.1–800 ng for DMA and As(V) (as arsenic). Arsenobetaine (AsB) was also determined by introducing an on-line photo-oxidation step after the chromatographic separation. In this case the limits of detection and linear ranges for the different species studied were similar to the values obtained previously for As(V). The technique was tested with a human urine reference material and a volunteer's sample. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Response surfaces for the determination of arsenic(III) by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry and flow injection

The sensitivity of a flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption system for dissolved arsenite is reported as a function of pH and sodium tetrahydroborate concentration for several common buffers. The buffers considered are acetate, formate, propanoate, butanoate, citrate, phosphate and hydrochloric acid. For the acetate buffer, it was found that the response did not reach a plateau at low pH, but rather passed through a maximum around pH 6. This ‘ridge’ in the response surface was found to be more pronounced for lower tetrahydroborate concentrations, and a similar effect was observed to varying degrees for all of the organic buffers. The effect was most pronounced for propanoic acid. Response surfaces were obtained with an automated continuous-flow apparatus under computer control and an efficient experimental design based on continuous variations. The instrumentation and software are described.

Investigations for the determination of tin by flow injection hydride generation atomic-absorption spectrometry

It could be shown that the pre- or double peaks which are frequently observed in the determination of tin by hydride generation atomic-absorption spectrometry are not due to reagent contamination or memory effects. Rather they originate from the silica material used to make the quartz tube atomizer. At elevated temperatures the tin diffuses to the surface and it can be volatilized and atomized only in the presence of hydrogen. The height of the pre-peak depends, among other things, on the time for which the quartz tube atomizer has been at a high temperature without hydrogen. The pre-peaks disappear when argon with 10% (v/v) hydrogen is used as the purge gas. In flow injection the pre-peaks can be separated in time from the analytical signal by using a program in which hydrogen is generated by reaction of sodium tetrahydroborate reluctant solution with the acid carrier prior to the injection of the sample. Also investigated was the influence of the acid and sodium tetrahydroborate concentration on sensitivity and freedom from interferences. Best results were obtained when a saturated boric acid solution containing 0.1 M hydrochloric acid was used for standards, samples and carrier solution, and a 0.4% (m/v) sodium tetrahydroborate solution with 0.05% (m/v) sodium hydroxide as the reluctant. Under these conditions tin could be determined accurately in the range 0.008-0.1% in low alloy steel standard reference materials, with matrix-free standard solutions for calibration.