The efficiency of chemical vapour generation of transition and noble metals.

The efficiency data from individual reports on chemical vapour generation (CVG) of transition and noble metals are overviewed with respect to the ways that they were obtained. The values derived from direct measurement of analyte in the gaseous phase or obtained from comparison with other sample introduction techniques reflect well the true chemical vapour generation efficiency. The efficiencies reported this way do not exceed 30%. On the other hand, the percentage efficiency values derived from determination of analyte remaining in the waste liquid, usually in the high tens, can substantially overestimate the efficiency by neglecting the analyte retained within the system.