An effective analytical system based on an ultraviolet atomizer for trace cadmium determination using atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A novel ultraviolet (UV) atomization atomic fluorescence spectrometry (UV-AFS) system was developed for the quantitative analysis of trace cadmium ions (Cd) without preconcentration. Cd2+ can transform into Cd-0 and Cd hydride (CdH2) gas vapor after hydride generation (HG) with KBH4. With the help of a simple, low power and low temperature UV atomizer, CdH2 can be converted to Cd-0 and thus the total Cd was detected. Due to the high atomization efficiency and low carrier gas dilution of the UV atomizer, the analytical system provides high sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.006 ng mL(-1), which was comparable to those obtained by preconcentration methods. The relative standard deviation (RSD) (n = 11) was better than 2.1% at a concentration of 0.5 ng mL(-1). Its application was demonstrated by analyzing Certified Reference Materials and food samples for ultra-trace detection of Cd2+.