Simultaneous determination of As and Sb by electrochemical hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A new method for simultaneous determination of As and Sb by electrochemical hydride generation (Ec-HG) with atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) was developed. The thin-layer electrolytic cell was used for hydride generation. Platinum was used as anode and Ph as cathode. When electrolysis began, hydride-forming elements such as As and Sb were reduced to gaseous hydrides on cathode surface and were transported to gas liquid separator by carrying gas for AFS measurements. The detection limits (3 sigma) of As( III ) and Sb ( II ) in aqueous solution were 0.14 mu g/L and 0.20 mu g/L, respectively, with precisions (RSD, n = 11) of 3.7% and 1.8%. The technique has been applied to the determination of As and Sb in tobacco sample. The interferences of some ions have been studied.