Analytical Sciences


Abstract − Analytical Sciences, 19(3), 367 (2003).

Flow Injection Electrochemical Hydride Generation of Hydrogen Selenide on Lead Cathode: Critical Study of the Influence of Experimental Parameters
Eduardo BOLEA, Francisco LABORDA,  and Juan R. CASTILLO
Analytical Spectroscopy and Sensors Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
A flow injection system for the determination of selenium by electrochemical hydride generation and quartz tube atomic absorption spectrometry is described. The generator consists of an electrolytic flow-through cell with a concentric arrangement and a packed cathode made of particulated lead. The influences of sample flow rate, carrier gas flow rate and electrolysis current on the hydrogen selenide generation have been critically studied. Both sample flow rate and electrolysis current play important roles in the efficiency of the hydride generation process. A characteristic mass of 2.4 ng and a concentration detection limit of 17 ug l-1 were obtained for a sample volume of 420 ul.