Determination of cyanides in electroplating solutions as Ni(CN)(4)(2-) andanalysis by capillary electrophoresis

A CE method was developed for the determination of total (free and weakly b ound) cyanide in electroplating solutions based on the use of a cationic su rfactant (TTAB) and complexation with Ni(II)-NH3 solutions to Ni(CN)(4)(2-) . Both direct complexation and cyanide distillation combined with complexat ion were tested. Under optimized conditions, this method is time-saving com pared to standard methods. Total cyanide determined by CE had detection lim its (with respect to the initial sample concentration) of 0.5 mu g/mL for d irect complexation and 50 ng/mL for distillation combined with complexation . Total cyanide and cyanide not amenable by chlorination (CNAC) were determ ined in real samples from spent electroplating baths.