Abstract
Hydride generation is a method of sample introduction commonly used in atomic spectrometry for the determination of elements forming volatile hydrides. It is a suitable derivatization technique for important environmental pollutants like heavy metals.
Electrochemical hydride generation is a more ecological and economical alternative, avoiding the use of tetrahydridoboritanes. Its drawback is, that some elements are not so easily transferred into the volatile compound.
One of these is tellurium and this work is focused on creating a suitable method for its determination. The generation conditions were optimised and figures of merit were determined for the optimal conditions.
The effect of selected elements from various element groups was also tested, including other hydride forming elements, transition metals and metals from IA and IIA groups.