Michael,

I've haven't had much success with gold, but I've found that a aqueous 
solution of 4% hydrochloric acid /  1% nitric acid in a light-tight 
container stores low-ppb mercury quite well.  Never tried silver.

Duane Miller
Analytical Lab Manager
APL Engineered Materials, Inc.
Urbana, IL

"PLASMACHEM-L: Analytical Chem.(ICP's, DCP's, MIP's)." 
<[log in to unmask]> wrote on 01/26/2010 03:57:23 PM:

> Dear All,
> 
> I have a question regarding stabilizing Hg solutions with silver.  I 
have 
> had good luck with stabilizing Hg solutions with Au (both as chloride 
and 
> nitrate salts) and in fairly concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions.
> 
> However, I have come across a method indicating the use of silver 
instead 
> of gold.  I am not familiar with this and have not been able to find a 
> ready reference.  Does anyone have experience with this arrangement?
> 
> Always willing to learn something new ....
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Michael Murphy
> Research Scientist
> Intertek USA
> Whitehouse, NJ