An automated flow method for the determination of hydrazine based on the concept of zone-fluidics has been developed. The analyte reacts under flow conditions with p-dimethylamino benzaldehyde (25 mmol L-1) in micellar medium (100 mmol L-1 SDS) to form a stable derivative (460 nm). Micelles mediated catalysis excludes the use of highly acidic environment typical for this kind of reaction. Following careful examination of chemical and instrumental variables, the method allows the determination of hydrazine at the low micromolar level (0.3-10 μmol L-1) in water samples. Real sample analyses (drinking and boiler feed water) resulted in satisfactory results in terms of accuracy with the percent recoveries being in the range of 82-114%.
Keywords: hydrazine; micellar medium; p-dimethylamino benzaldehyde; water samples; zone fluidics.