Electrolytic extraction combined with flame atomic-absorption for the determination of metal ions in aqueous solution

Abstract

Metals were deposited from aqueous solutions onto an iridium wire either by electrolysis at pH 2 or by auto-deposition at pH 9. The amount deposited was determined by atomisation with an air-hydrogen flame into a long-tube (10 cm) atomic-absorption spectrophotometer. The sensitivities obtained by electrolysis were comparable with those obtained by conventional sample aspiration for magnesium, lead and zinc and an order of magnitude greater for cadmium, copper and mercury. The presence of other ions in the sample solution generally reduced the sensitivity of the method.