RESUMO
The gas-phase chemiluminescence detection system based on the ozonization of gaseous hydride was exploited and utilized for the determination of total tin in environmental samples. After sample treatment, tin was reduced to stannane by sodium borohydride in a phosphate buffer medium of pH 5.8. Flow injection technique was used to control the reaction precisely and reproducibly. The generated stannane, carried by helium, was separated from liquid and dried using an ice-salt cryogenic bath and subsequently trapped in a glass U-tube immersed in liquid nitrogen. The cryotrapped stannane was vaporized by bringing the tube to room temperature and subsequently carried in a flow of helium to a reaction chamber where ozone was used to oxidize the stannane. Chemiluminescence was produced during the oxidation process, which was utilized for the measurement of tin. Under optimal conditions, a detection limit of 0.32 µg L(-1) was achieved with a relative standard deviation of 3.1% (10.0 µg L(-1) Sn, n=11). Interferences from transition metal ions and other hydride forming elements were reduced by the addition of 1,10-phenanthroline and through optimized hydride generation conditions. The proposed system was applied to the determination of Sn in water and soil samples with satisfactory results.
RESUMO
A novel method for the determination of antimony in environmental samples was developed with gas phase chemiluminescence detection following flow injection hydride generation and cryotrapping. The stibine, generated from samples by borohydride reduction of antimony using flow injection technique, was separated by using a new gas-liquid separator, dried with an ice-salt cryogenic bath and concentrated in a glass U-tube immersed in liquid nitrogen. Re-vaporization of stibine based on its boiling point was achieved by allowing the tube to warm at room temperature. A gas phase chemiluminescence signal was produced during the ozonation of the hydride in a reflective chamber. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method was characterized by a wide linear calibration range from 1.0microgL(-1) to 10.0mgL(-1) with a detection limit of 0.18microgL(-1) (n=11). The relative standard deviation for 10.0microgL(-1) antimony was 3.56% (n=11) and the sampling rate was 15 samples h(-1). Blank signal was reduced by the purification of reagents and the interference from transition metal ions was eliminated by the addition of L-cysteine into samples. The method was applied to the determination of antimony in environmental samples with satisfactory results.
