Determination of trace amounts of germanium by flow injection hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry with on-line coprecipitation

A method for the determination of trace amounts of germanium by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) associated on-line with flow injection (FI) coprecipitation preconcentration was described. The samples, each spiked with Ni2+ (500 μg ml−1), were introduced into the FI system using time-based injection, and mixed with a NaOH solution (50 g l−1). Germanium was preconcentrated by coprecipitation with the generated nickel hydroxide precipitate. The precipitate is subsequently eluted with 20% (v/v) phosphate acid solution and directed into the HG-AFS system. This method is simple and rapid. The detection limit (3σ) was 0.11 μg l−1 and the relative standard deviation was 5.6% (n=11) at the 10 μg l−1 level.