Experimental designs and response surface modeling applied for the optimization of metal-cyanide complexes analysis...

The development of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) methods for the determination of metal cyanide complexes in real samples showed some problems, such as the low detection signal of Au (CN)2- and the low resolution between Ni(II) and Fe(II) cyanides in gold processing solutions, and the lack of separation of Pt(CN)4(2-) and Pd(CN)4(2-) in the leachates from automobile catalytic converters. To optimize some analytical parameters, the present study thus focused on the application of experimental designs and multiregression models. The following factors were examined by a two-level factorial design: applied voltage, injection time, detection wavelength, buffer ion, ionic strength and buffer modifiers. For optimization of the CZE method, subsequent response-surface experiments with the important factors were made with the two kinds of leaching solutions. Optimal analytical conditions were obtained in each case, giving good detection signals and resolution for the components of the studied leachates.