Variables influencing vapour generation

Accessories for implementing a hydride or cold mercury vapour-based method 

Solid sample treatments involving the removal of volatile species 

Detectors for volatile hydrides and cold mercury vapour 

The physico-chemical properties of the analytes and the way they reach the detector have made atomic spectroscopy the detection technique of choice in most instances. A heated quartz cell or a similar device is connected directly to the gas outlet of the separation cell [26]. The use of an atomic fluorescence detector has provided methods for selenium [25,27] and mercury [28,29] that possess excellent analytical features and use inexpensive instruments. On a less affordable level are ICP emission [30] and atomic emission cavity spectrometers [31]. 

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Relevant variables influencing vapour generation of Sb(III) with bromide were screened using an experimental design. Then they were optimised using a simplex algorithm... 

Because the hydride and cold vapour generation techniques have so far been used mainly with liquid and dissolved samples, all aspects related to the variables influencing the process and the characteristics of the ensuing methods, among others, have been established in the light of a liquid entering the separator. Most such aspects also affect solid samples and are thus worth some comment, as are those that are exclusive to them — all briefly as this technique has scarcely been applied to solid samples. 

Experimental designs were used to evaluate the effects of several parameters influencing the vapour generation efficiency. Relevant variables were optimised with a central composite design. 

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