Application of Ag2X (X = SO32−, Cr2O72−, C2O42− and CO32−) solid-phase reagents for indirect determination of cyanide in the industrial effluent using FIA-FAAS system

Four solid-phase reagents have been tested for indirect determination of cyanide using flow injection analysis-flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FIA-FAAS). The method is based on insertion of aqueous cyanide solutions into an on-line Ag2X (where X are SO32−, Cr2O72−, C2O42− and CO32−) packed column (25%, m/m suspended on silica gel beads) and re-distilled water or sodium hydroxide are used as the carrier stream. The eluent containing the analyte as silver cyanide complexes, produced from reaction between Ag2X and cyanide, measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The method is simple, fast and selective than other published FIA procedures. A relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) better than 1.12% was obtained in a repeatability study. The method was applied to the determination of cyanide in industrial electrolytic baths.