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 Cd0 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 Cd0 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+.