TARGET PREPARATION FOR X-RAY-EMISSION ANALYSIS BY ANODIC ELECTRODEPOSITION OF CYANO METALATES FROM 2-PROPANOL-WATER MIXTURES

A target preparation technique based on the high stability of anionic cyano and oxo complexes of transition elements (V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Pt, Au, Hg) is described. On an aluminum anode, the metals can be eiectrodeposited in a high potential field from 2-propanol-water mixtures, yielding thin, uniform, and adhering films. This technique is integrated into a scheme for determining water pollutants by X-ray emission analysis. After the nonspecific sorption of all cations by ion exchange, bulk metals such as Mg and Ca are retained while stable cyano metalates are eluted by KCN solution. On addition of 2-propanol, complexes of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd are deposited with high yield and determined simultaneously. The effectiveness of the technique was tested with a synthetic solution simulating the elemental composition of Rhine and Main River waters. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.