Improvements in thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

In thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (TS-FF-AAS) a nickel atomization tube is placed in the acetylene/air flame on a holder built onto a standard AAS burner head. The liquid to be analyzed is transported by a low or high-pressure pump through a very hot, simple, inexpensive ceramic capillary tip acting as a flame-heated thermospray into the flame furnace. This results in complete sample introduction and increases the residence time of the sample in the absorption volume. This leads for 17 elements to a 3-110-fold improvement in the power of detection compared to conventional flame AAS. The absolute detection limits (3s values, N=25) lie between 0.2 μg l⁻¹ (Zn) and 310 μg l⁻¹ (Se) according to the element. The R.S.D. (N=15) is 1.4-5.5% according to the element and applied concentration. TS-FF-AAS can easily be incorporated on any standard flame AAS instrument and can be automated with a standard autosampler.     

Determination of total chromium traces in tannery effluents by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, flame atomic absorption spectrometry and UV-visible spectrophotometric methods

Three different analytical methods comprising colorimetric method with 1,5-diphenyl-carbazide, electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry were utilized in a study to determine traces of chromium (Cr) in synthetic tannery effluent from laboratory scale treatment process variations. All the results obtained using the three different methods showed good agreement and met the requirement of Brazilian regulation for total Cr for effluent discharges (<0.5 mg l(-1)). However, ET AAS has been the proposed method because it was faster, less laborious, needed smaller volume of sample and presented lower limit of quantification (LOQ=2.2 mug l(-1)).     

松口蘑中微量元素的测定

采用火焰原子吸收法同时测定了松口蘑中K、Ca、Na、Mg、Fe、Pb、Cd、Co、Cr、Zn、Mn、Cu等12种元素的含量。方法的相对标准偏差在0.08％－2.32％范围,回收率在97.1%－108.3%范围。结果表明,在三种松口蘑样品中,除含有较高的K、Na、Ca、Mg和一定量的有害元素Cd、Pb外,其余6种对人体有益的微量元素较为丰富。     

The determination of tin in zirconium alloys using slotted atom trap (STAT) flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Summary An improved system is reported for the determination of tin in Zircaloys by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Use of a slotted quartz tube atom trap improved sensitivity and precision by a factor of 2–3 compared to that obtained by conventional flame AAS. Determination of tin in reference Zircaloys proves the good precision and accuracy of the proposed analytical procedure.     

Tungsten coil devices in atomic spectrometry: absorption, fluorescence, and emission.

In this work, tungsten coil (W-Coil) devices are used as atomizers for electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS), electrothermal atomization laser excited atomic fluorescence spectrometry (ETA-LEAFS), and electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ETV-ICP-AES). For most cases in ETAAS and ETA-LEAFS, limits of detection (LODs) using the W-Coil are within a factor of ten of those observed with commercial graphite furnace systems. LOD for Cd by W-Coil AAS is 10 pg, while LODs for As, Se, Cr, Sb and Pb by W-Coil LEAFS are 950, 320, 1400, 330, and 160 fg, respectively. The compact W-Coil device makes it an ideal atomizer for portable atomic spectrometry instrumentation, especially when coupled with a miniature charge coupled device spectrometer. Alternatively, the atomizer can be used as an inexpensive, modular add-on to an existing commercial ICP-AES system; and the thermal separation of Pb with interference elements Al, Mn, and Fe is demonstrated.     

Comparison of tungsten coil electrothermal vaporization and thermospray sample introduction methods for flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (FF-AAS) is a newly developed flame atomic absorption spectrometric technique based on arranging a flame furnace onto the top of the flame burner head. In this fundamental investigation, 25 elements were carefully tested by using either thermospray FF-AAS or tungsten coil electrothermal vaporization FF-AAS, of which 15 volatile and semi-volatile elements (Cd, Tl, Ag, Pb, Zn, Hg, Cu, Sb, Bi, Te, In, As, Se, Sn and Au) exhibited better limits of detection compared to those by conventional FAAS; however, non-volatile or refractory elements (Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Mn, Pd, Pt, Al, Be and V) showed inferior sensitivities by the proposed methods.     

Sample pre-treatment methods for the trace elements determination in seafood products by atomic absorption spectrometry

Different sample pre-treatments for seafood products have been compared with determine trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Classic pre-treatments as microwave assisted-acid digestion and the slurry sampling technique were compared with new procedures such as microwave energy or ultrasound energy assisted-acid leaching process and enzymatic hydrolysis methodologies based on the use of pronase E. The methods were applied to DORM-1 and DOLT-1 reference materials with certified contents for the studied elements. The Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) method was used to compare with element concentration means obtained with each sample pre-treatment and also the certified concentration means in both reference materials. Multivariate techniques such as principal components analysis (PCA) was also applied to comparative purposes.     

Determination of cadmium and lead in reference materials by volatile species generation with in situ trapping flame atomic absorption spectrometry

The analytical performance of coupled volatile species generation-integrated atom trap (VSG-IAT) atomizer flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) system was evaluated for determination of Cd and Pb in reference materials. Lead using formation of PbH₄ and Cd⁰ vapors are atomized in air-acetylene flame-heated IAT. A new design of VSG-IAT-FAAS hyphenated technique that would exceed the operational capabilities of existing arrangements (a water-cooled single silica tube, double-slotted quartz tube or an “integrated trap”) was investigated. A dramatic improvement in detection limit was achieved compared with that obtained using either of the above atom trapping techniques separately. The concentration detection limits, defined as 3 times the blank standard deviation (3σ), were 0.05 and 0.40 ng mL^− 1 for Cd and Pb, respectively. For a 120 s in situ pre-concentration time, sensitivity enhancement compared to flame AAS, was 500 and 575 folds for Cd and Pb, respectively, using volatile species generation-atom trapping technique. The sensitivity can be further improved by increasing the collection time. The precision, expressed as RSD, was 4.4% and 4.1% (n = 6) for Cd and Pb, respectively. The designs studied include slotted tube, single silica tube and integrated atom trap-cooled atom traps. The accuracy of method was verified using certified reference materials (PLANTS 3 and IAEA/W-4) by standard addition calibration technique. The measured Cd and Pb contents in two reference materials were in satisfactory agreement with the certified values.     

Gas-Screen Slotted Quartz Tube Atomic Absorption Spectrometry: A Remedy for Reducing Interference Effects of Calcium and Chromium

A simple device for the reduction of nonspectral interferences in flame atomic absorption spectrometry is proposed. It has been reported that the use of a gas screen (GS) system together with a slotted quartz tube (SQT) enhances the residence time of analyte atoms in measurement zone even more than the SQT alone. This combination causes enhancement of sensitivity and improves the reproducibility of absorbance measurements. In addition, it protects the optical windows of the atomic absorption spectrometer. The operational mechanism of gas screen is simply applying two argon gas walls at both ends of SQT to provide an environment that is partly protected from air. This action enhances the sensitivity of measurement.

In this study, interference effects of excess amounts of calcium and chromium on the measurements of Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, and Zn were studied using flame AAS. The presence of both Ca and Cr cause higher absorbance values; it is suggested that this is due to formation of oxide species of Ca and Cr and as a result analyte oxide production is suppressed. Therefore, analyte free atom population and sensitivity are enhanced. This enhancement results in a positive error in measurements. For instance, presence of solely 8.0 mg L^?1 of Cr or Ca for Pb as the analyte enhances the signals by 75% and 56%, respectively. When SQT or GS-SQT is used, this effect is significantly reduced.     

Determination of calcium, iron and manganese in moss by automated discrete sampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry as an alternative to the ICP-MS analysis

An automated, fast and reliable procedure has been developed for flame atomic absorption analysis of Ca, Fe and Mn in moss. The method is suitable for routine analysis of a large number of moss samples and allows sequential determination of all three elements in the same solution. In order to inhibit the matrix interference on Ca and to level the diverse analytical behaviour of the moss matrix, approximately 1% La was added to both samples and standard solutions as well. An integrated system of ‘sandwich-type’ air segmented discrete sample introduction and flame atomic absorption detection (ASDI-FAAS) was successfully applied. It works at ‘solvent-air-sample-air-solvent’ mode, which tolerates the introduction of high salt content solutions, reduces reagent and sample consumption and allows the application of data treatment models to pseudo-steady state signals for bettering the repeatability. For moss samples containing high Ca and Fe concentrations, equivalent procedure was used by turned on 45° burner head without worsening the analytical characteristics. Concerning these three elements, the method is suggested as a cheaper, easier and more trustworthy alternative with a better precision to the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) one. The ASDI-FAAS results were used for selection of appropriate isotopes and correction procedures for ICP-MS determination. Both methods show good agreement of the Ca, Fe and Mn results that correspond to the moss reference materials tested.     

Solid sampling coupled to flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for Mn and Ni determination in petroleum coke

A solid sampling flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (SS-FF-AAS) system was developed for Mn and Ni determination in petroleum coke. The proposed system for solid sampling was a quartz cell with two perpendicular tubes (T-shaped tubes), positioned above the burner. Manganese and Ni determination was made using an atomic absorption spectrometer with deuterium background corrector, air-acetylene flame and a single slit burner. Powdered samples of coke were introduced as pellets (up to 62 mg) into the quartz cell with a movable hollow quartz piston. When the sample pellet reached the end of quartz cell (T-connection), in the presence of a constant oxygen flow, it quickly burned and the combustion products were transferred to the upper slit tube where the atomic absorption process occurs. Calibration was possible using aqueous reference solutions applied directly on high purity graphite pellets. Results obtained for Mn and Ni using the proposed SS-FF-AAS system were compared to those obtained by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after sample decomposition by high pressure microwave assisted acid digestion and also by microwave induced combustion. Agreement better than 96% was obtained for both methods employing a previous step of sample digestion (ICP OES and ICP-MS) and by SS-FF-AAS. Accuracy was evaluated using certified reference materials and also recovery tests. The relative standard deviation was lower than 9% for both analytes. The characteristic mass was 18.3 and 14.7 ng and the limit of detection was 0.6 and 0.8 µg g^− 1 for Mn and Ni, respectively. The proposed SS-FF-AAS system can be applied for Mn and Ni determination in petroleum coke, combining a relatively high sample throughput (9 determinations per h), and a suitable precision and accuracy.     

On-line pre-concentration of Cr(III) and Mn(II) in FI-FAAS: A critical study involving interference effects and analytical use of an immobilized 8-hydroxyquinoline minicolumn

A flow injection system with a pre-concentration minicolumn based on a chelating resin was coupled to a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The focus of this work was the investigation of interference effects and the analytical applicability of the azo-immobilized 8-hydroxyquinoline on controlled-pore glass for the determination of Cr and Mn in mussel and non-fat milk powder. All studied concomitants affected the retention of Cr(III). These effects are probably related to the formation of hydroxo-complexes at the optimum pH range 9.0-10. The positive effect caused by Ca(II) was exploited to increase the retention of Cr(III) species and to improve the slope by 70%. The interferences on Mn(II) retention were less severe. The quantification of Cr and Mn was performed by standard additions. The proposed methodology was validated by analysis of three certified reference materials of mussels (Cr and Mn) and non-fat milk powder (Mn) with a mean relative percent error of <6.5% and mean relative standard deviation of <13%. Chromium and Mn were determined in typical Chilean mussels samples, and Mn was determined in non-fat milk powder samples. Results agreed at the 95% confidence level with those obtained by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) using graphite furnace atomization. The method detection limits for a 30 s pre-concentration time were 0.9 and 1.1 micro g L(-1) for Mn, and 2.2 and 2.5 micro g L(-1) for Cr in acid digested solutions of mussel and non-fat milk, respectively. The methodology is simple, fast (sampling frequency 60-72 h(-1)), reliable, of low cost, and can be applied to the determination of traces of Cr (> or =0.18 micro g g(-1)) and Mn (> or =0.6 micro g g(-1)) in mussel samples, and Mn (> or =0.37 micro g g(-1)) in non-fat milk powder.     

Atomic physics and atomic spectroscopy: mother and daughter?

In Part 1 the roots of analytical atomic emission (AES), absorption (AAS), fluorescence (AFS), optogalvanic (OG) and forward-scattering (FS) spectroscopy in atomic physics are exposed. The essential differences between FS and AAS or AFS are stressed. The links of plasma-source mass-spectrometry with atomic spectroscopy and with flame ionization research are also indicated. Part 2 deals with various aspects of the continual interrelation between atomic physics and atomic spectroscopy. The usage of AAS in atomic physics is exemplified by shock-tube experiments on the oxidation of Cr atoms and the curve-of-growth of the Cr resonance lines in argon. Examples of the usage of AFS in physical experiments are given that relate to the collisional mixing of Zeeman substates and the far-wing profiles of the collisionally broadened Na-D lines. Other aspects of this interrelation are discussed that relate to the sources of atomization and excitation, to the detection or measuring techniques, and to the research or development of analytical methods and sources. In Part 3 the revival of AES and the prospects of some laser-based atomic spectroscopies are summarized, whereas a further exploitation of anomalous dispersion in analytical atomic spectroscopy is suggested. General conclusions and exhortations are collated in Part 4.     

Elemental analysis of special materials by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

The special materials like phosphor bronze for P, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn and Pb; mild steel for P, S, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Nb, Sb and W; special alloys for Ti and Mo, zircaloy and zirconium oxide for Hf; and zircon ore for Zr have been analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS). The measured values along with certified values, precision and accuracy have been given for all the elements analyzed. Some of these materials have also been analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), neutron activation analysis (NAA) and inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-ES). The analytical data of XRFS are in agreement with the results obtained by AAS-ICP-ES and NAA. In most cases the precision is within ±2% and accuracy is ±4%. The precision and accuracy for S, P, Ni and Hf are poor at low concentrations. Practical low detection limit of about 40 g/g of Hf in zirconium matrix has been achieved. It is established that precise and accurate determination of Ti and Mo in special alloys is possible using XRFS.     

Cadmium determination in biological samples by direct solid sampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A direct solid sampling flame atomic absorption spectrometric procedure for trace determination of cadmium in biological samples has been developed. Test samples (0.05–2.00 mg) were ground and weighed into small polyethylene vials, which were connected to the device for solid sample introduction into a conventional air/acetylene flame. Test samples were carried as a dry aerosol to a quartz cell, placed between the burner and the optical path, which had a perpendicular entrance and a slit in the upper part. The atomic vapor generated in the flame produced a transient signal that was totally integrated within 1 s. The effect of operating conditions and the extent of grinding on the analytical signal were evaluated. Background signals were always low and a characteristic mass of 0.29 ng Cd was obtained. Calibration was performed using different masses of solid certified reference materials. Results obtained for certified and in-house reference materials were typically within the 95% confidence interval of the certified and/or reference value, and the precision, expressed as relative standard deviation, was between 3.8 and 6.7%. The proposed system is simple and it might be adapted to conventional atomic absorption spectrometers allowing the determination of Cd in more than 80 test samples per hour, excluding weighing.     

Determination of cobalt in biological samples by line-source and high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using solid sampling or alkaline treatment

Two procedures for the determination of Co in biological samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) were compared: solid sampling (SS) and alkaline treatment with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) using two different instruments for the investigation: a conventional line-source (LS) atomic absorption spectrometer and a prototype high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometer. For the direct introduction of the solid samples, certified reference materials (CRM) were ground to a particle size ≤50 μm. Alkaline treatment was carried out by placing about 250 mg of the sample in polypropylene flasks, adding 2 mL of 25% m/v tetramethylammonium hydroxide and de-ionized water. Due to its unique capacity of providing a 3-D spectral plot, a high-resolution continuum source (HR-CS) graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used as a tool to evaluate potential spectral interferences, including background absorption for both sample introduction procedures, revealing that a continuous background preceded the atomic signal for pyrolysis temperatures lower than 700 °C. Molecular absorption bands with pronounced rotational fine structure appeared for atomization temperatures >1800 °C probably as a consequence of the formation of PO. After optimization had been carried out using high resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry, the optimized conditions were adopted also for line-source atomic absorption spectrometry. Six biological certified reference materials were analyzed, with calibration against aqueous standards, resulting in agreement with the certified values (according to the t-test for a 95% confidence level) and in detection limits as low as 5 ng g⁻¹.     

原子吸收及原子荧光光谱分析

本文是《分析试验室》期刊定期评述中关于原子吸收光谱 (AAS)及原子荧光光谱 (AFS)分析的第 9篇综述文章。文中对 2 0 0 0年 12月～ 2 0 0 2年 11月期间我国在AAS AFS领域所取得的主要进展进行评述。内容包括概述、仪器装置、火焰原子吸收光谱法、电热原子吸收光谱法、化学蒸气发生技术以及原子荧光光谱法等。收集文献 35 8篇。     

Novel Chelating Resin for Solid-Phase Extraction of Metals in Certified Reference Materials and Waters

A new chelating resin, poly(diacetonitrile methacrylamide-co-divinylbenzene-co-vinylimidazole), was synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. The novel resin was used for the first time as a chelating adsorbent for the preconcentration of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn from various samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The adsorption capacities of the resin were 29.3, 31.6, 29.3, 27.3, 35.5, 31.7, 39.8, and 32.3?mg?g^?1 for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively. The detection limits of the metal ions were from 0.42 to 3.21?µg?L^?1. A preconcentration factor of 30 for all metal ions was obtained. The precision of the method as the relative standard deviation was less than or equal to 2.6%. The described method was validated with certified reference materials and fortified real samples. The method was used for the determination of the analytes in well water and wastewater.     

Determination of cadmium and lead at low levels by using preconcentration at fullerene coupled to thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A new and sensitive method for Cd and Pb determinations, based on the coupling of thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and a preconcentrator system, was developed. The procedure comprised the chelating of Cd and Pb with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate with posterior adsorption of the chelates on a mixture (40 mg) of C₆₀ and C₇₀ at a flow rate of 2.0 ml min⁻¹. These chelates were eluted from the adsorbent by passing a continuous flow of ethanol (80% v/v) at 0.9 ml min⁻¹ to a nickel tube placed in an air/acetylene flame. After sample introduction into the tube by using a ceramic capillary (0.5 mm i.d.), the analytical signals were registered as peak height. Under these conditions, improvement factors in detectability of 675 and 200 were obtained for Cd and Pb, respectively, when compared to conventional flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Spiked samples (mineral and tap waters) and drinking water containing natural concentrations of Cd were employed for evaluating accuracy by comparing the results obtained from the proposed methodology with those using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. In addition, certified reference materials (rye grass, CRM 281 and pig kidney, CRM 186) were also adopted for the accuracy tests. Due to the good linearity ranges for Cd (0.5–5.0 μg l⁻¹) and Pb (10–250 μg l⁻¹), samples with different concentrations could be analyzed. Detection limits of 0.1 and 2.4 μg l⁻¹ were obtained for Cd and Pb, respectively, and RSD values <4.5% were observed (n=10). Finally, a sample throughput of 24 determinations per hour was possible.     

Determination of selected trace elements in marine biota samples with the application of fast temperature programs and solid sampling continuous source high resolution atomic absorption spectroscopy: method validation

Analytical procedure for the determination of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Co and Cr in marine biota samples using solid sampling high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR CS AAS) and accelerated fast temperature programmes has been developed. Calibration technique based on the use of solid certified reference materials similar to the nature of the analysed sample and statistics of regression analysis were applied. A validation approach in line with the requirements of ISO 17025 standard and Eurachem guidelines was followed. Accordingly, blanks, selectivity, calibration, linearity, working range, trueness, repeatability and reproducibility, limits of detection and quantification and expanded uncertainty for all investigated elements were assessed. The major contributors to the combined uncertainty of the analyte mass fractions were found to be the homogeneity of the samples and the microbalance precision. Traceability to the SI system of units of the obtained with the proposed analytical procedure results was also demonstrated. The potential of the proposed analytical procedure based on solid sampling HR CS AAS technique was demonstrated by direct analysis of marine reference biota samples. Overall, the use of solid sampling HR CS AAS permits obtaining significant advantages for the determination of selected trace elements in marine biota samples, such as straightforward calibration, a high sample throughput, sufficient precision, a suitable limit of detection and reduced risk of analyte loss and contamination.