Photochemical Vapor Generation Techniques in Atomic Spectrometry

Photochemical vapor generation (PVG) has emerged as a versatile approach in atomic spectrometry for converting non-volatile analytes into gaseous species under ultraviolet or visible irradiation. In a typical PVG system, a flow-through photoreactor exposes a solution containing the target element, an acid medium and often trace amounts of metal sensitiser to controlled light, prompting formation of a volatile hydride or carbonyl complex. The resultant vapour is swept directly into an excitation source—most commonly inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES)—for highly sensitive quantification. Compared with classical chemical vapor generation, PVG offers reduced reagent consumption, lower background noise and improved tolerance to interfering matrices such as chlorides or organics. Recent advances include miniaturised photoreactors, microfluidic platforms with immobilised photocatalysts and integration with on-line pre-concentration strategies. These developments have widened the application scope to trace determinations of noble metals (e.g. iridium), metalloids (e.g. mercury) and transition metals in environmental, clinical and industrial samples. By coupling green photochemistry with high-throughput spectrometric detection, PVG techniques are positioning themselves as key tools for rapid, low-cost and environmentally benign trace analysis on a global scale.

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Photochemical Vapor Generation Techniques in Atomic Spectrometry publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in photochemical vapor generation techniques in atomic spectrometry across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Photochemical Vapor Generation (PVG): A method using light to convert dissolved analytes into volatile species for introduction into an excitation source.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): A spectrometric technique that ionises samples in an argon plasma and separates ions by mass-to-charge ratio for trace analysis.

Pneumatic Nebulization: A conventional sample introduction technique in which liquid is atomised into a fine aerosol by a high-velocity gas stream.

Programmable Temperature Cyclonic Spray Chamber (PTSC): A thermostated chamber that controls aerosol temperature and residence time to improve plasma robustness and signal stability.

Sensitiser: A trace metal additive that enhances photochemical reaction efficiency by facilitating energy transfer or intermediate formation.

References

1. Highly Efficient Photochemical Vapor Generation for Sensitive Determination of Iridium by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Analytical Chemistry (2023).
2. Spectroscopic diagnostics of axially viewed inductively coupled plasma and microwave induced plasma coupled to photochemical vapor generation with pneumatic nebulization inside a programmable temperature spray chamber. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry (2017).
3. Determination of Hg in Biological Samples and Ethanol Fuel by Photochemical Vapor Generation after Pre-Concentration in a Gold Trap. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society (2017).