Gas-diffusion flow injection determination of Hg(II) with chemiluminescence detection

Abstract

A gas-diffusion flow injection method for the chemiluminescence detection of Hg(II) based on the luminol-H2O2 reaction was developed. The analytical procedure involved the injection of Hg(II) samples and standards into a 1.50 M H2SO4 carrier stream, which was subsequently merged with a reagent stream of 0.60% (w/v) SnCl2 in 1.50 M H2SO4 to reduce Hg(II) to metallic Hg. The gas-diffusion cell was thermostated at 85 °C to enhance the vaporisation of metallic Hg. Mercury vapour, transported across the Teflon membrane of the gas-diffusion cell into the acceptor stream containing 1.00 × 10-4 M KMnO4 in 0.30 M H2SO4, was oxidised back to Hg(II). The acceptor stream was merged with a reagent stream..