Spectroscopic study of atomization processes and inter-element effects on the flame emission of chromium and iron in an air—acetylene flame

Emission spectroscopy is applied for characterization of reactions occurring in air—acetylene flames normally used for atomic absorption spectrometry. Inter-element effects on the emissions of chromium and iron are discussed. Two atomic emission lines with different upper energies and a molecular emission line of the diatomic oxide MO are compared for determination of the excitation temperature and the degree of atomization in fuel-rich and lean flames. The reductive power of the fuel-rich flame is essential for atomization of chromium salts. Inter-element effects by iron can be attributed to the formation of refractory oxides, and to mutual catalytic oxidation.