Slurry sampling for the determination of thallium in soils and sediments by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The analytical conditions for thallium determination in soils and sediments by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry were studied and optimized. Elimination of a strong background for soils rich in organic materials by application of tungsten carbides coated graphite tubes/platforms was studied in detail. Tungsten carbides increased the maximum permissible pyrolysis temperature from 300 to 900 degrees C. The mechanism of tungsten carbide formation on different graphite surfaces was proposed. Application of a strong basic anion-exchange resin for interference elimination in thallium determination in marine sediments was described. Calibration was performed directly using aqueous standards both for soil and sediment analysis. Analysis of CRM confirmed the reliability of the approach. The precision and accuracy of thallium determination by the described method for soils and sediments was acceptable. A characteristic mass of 13.8 pg was obtained and the limit of detection for the proposed method was around 0.06 microg g(-1) Tl.     

Electrothermal atomization of arsenic,antimony and thallium using a graphite atomizer with refractory metal platforms

The electrothermal atomization of the volatile elements arsenic, antimony and thallium from a refractory metal platform consisting of a tungsten coil and/or a refractory metal foil with the dimensions of a conventional graphite platform was studied. Several combinations of refractory metal platforms were investigated, as follows: W platform; Ta platform; W coil; W coil on a W platform and W coil on a Ta platform. The best combination for these elements as regards both thermal stabilization and sensitivity is the W coil on a Ta platform. Thermal stabilization is also achieved with a W coil on a W platform. The presence of Pd-containing chemical modifier favors the thermal stabilization of the analytes. The sufficient amount is 2 micrograms of Pd. The maximal temperatures of pyrolysis are higher (arsenic, antimony) or equal (thallium) to those when using different chemical modifiers, added as solutions. It may be concluded, that the refractory metal platforms act as "built-in modifiers". They are suitable for the determination of arsenic, antimony and thallium in samples of complex matrix composition where high thermal stability of the analytes during the pyrolysis step is required.     

Studies on the sensitivity of yttrium by electrothermal atomization from metallic and metal-carbide surfaces of a heated graphite atomizer in atomic absorption spectrometry

Atomization of yttrium in tube-type electrothermal atomizers was studied using various atomization surfaces: pyrocoated graphite surface, carbidized graphite surface and tantalum or tungsten metal surfaces. Carbidizing of pyrocoated graphite tubes with other carbide-forming metals (Ta, Zr or La) produces refractory metal-carbide surfaces thereby preventing the carbide-forming yttrium to come in physical contact with the reactive graphite surface. The result is an enhancement in the analytical sensitivity (peak height absorbance) of yttrium. The atomization of Y from a metal surface (Ta or W) gives better analytical sensitivity, lower atomization temperature, and negligible memory effect compared with those from metal-carbidized surfaces.     

Chemical modification of graphite surfaces for the determination of chromium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Different kinds of graphite surfaces (electrographite, pyrolytic graphite, zirconium and tungsten carbide-coated) have been tested for optimization of analytical conditions for the determination of chromium using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The effect of mineral acids on the peak absorbance signal of chromium has been investigated. Considering pyrolysis temperature and sensitivity, atomization from pyrolytic graphite coated surface showed the best performance.     

SEM-EDXRF Study of Two Chemical Modifiers Based on Platinum and Tungsten and Their Effect on ET-AAS Atomization of Lead

 The behavior of two chemical modifiers based on platinum and tungsten, is studied in the two parts of this work. At first, the chemical and morphological alterations of these during pyrolysis and atomization stages in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry are studied. The compounds were H₂PtCl₆ and Na₂WO₄. A cylindrical graphite tube was used, and fixed shaped rectangular graphite plates were put inside as platforms to prepare the specimens. The crystalline formations on the platforms were studied by scanning electron microscopy and the energy dispersive X-ray spectra allowed the estimation of the chemical composition changes of the modifiers and the graphite surface. According to the spectra and the images obtained, both modifiers where found to change their crystalline form at temperatures between 500–1250 °C. Severe corrosion of the graphite surface was observed in case of H₂PtCl₆ at temperature higher than 750 °C, while minor damages were observed in case of Na₂WO₄. In the second part of this work, the efficiency of these modifiers was tested for maximum loss-free pyrolysis temperature and atomization of lead by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum results, concerning these parameters, obtained for medium concentration of the modifiers. The effect of each modifier on the atomization signal is discussed, and the optimum concentration of each one is estimated.     

不同基体改进剂对石墨炉原子吸收法测定土壤和沉积物中铊的影响

应用Pd(NO3)2-抗坏血酸(Vc)基体改进剂,建立了石墨炉原子吸收法(GFAA法)测定土壤和沉积物样品中铊。针对土壤和沉积物复杂基体,GFAA法测定铊元素主要受到氯离子的干扰,文中研究了常见基体改进剂(包括NH4NO3,(NH4)2SO4,La(NO3)3,Mg(NO3)2,Vc,Pd(NO3)2,Pd(NO3)2-Vc)对氯离子的抑制效果。通过研究不同基体改进剂测定含氯铊标准溶液的吸收曲线,探讨出基体改进剂测定铊的作用机理。以土壤或沉积物标准物质为研究对象,优化了应用Pd(NO3)2-Vc测定铊的灰化温度、基改剂浓度以及原子化温度。在最佳实验条件下,通过比较有无基体改进剂条件下,采用GFAA法测定不同土壤和沉积物中铊的精密度和准确度,实验结果表明,应用Pd(NO3)2-VC基体改进剂,测定土壤和沉积物标准物质中铊的测定结果都在标准值范围之内,6次平行测定的相对标准偏差范围为2.8%~8.4%,用于测定实际土壤和沉积物样品加标回收率为128.0%和92.9%。     

Effect of atomizer surface type on the quantitation of molybdenum and ytterbium by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry

The effect of pyrocoated graphite, uncoated graphite, metal-carbide, and metal atomization surfaces on the quantitation of molybdenum and ytterbium by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry was investigated. The peak shape was affected by heating rate and the different surfaces gave different shapes. Except for the case of uncoated graphite, the sensitivities and detection limits were similar for all surfaces. In a sodium chloride matrix it is preferable to use uncoated graphite for molybdenum because an ashing stage greater than the boiling point of sodium chloride can be used without loss of molybdenum. Tube lifetime depended on atomization temperature, atomization time and the matrix.     

Thermal stabilization of tellurium in mineral acids solutions: use of permanent modifiers for its determination in sulfur by GFAAS

The aim of this work is the study of the best conditions for thermal stabilization of tellurium in graphite furnaces under different experimental conditions, including highly concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acids solutions as those resulting of drastic dissolution procedures. The influence of different noble metals used as matrix modifiers in solution or as permanent layers on the graphite furnace will be assessed.Amongst the assayed matrix modifiers, iridium used as permanent has shown the best performance in high concentrations of mineral acids. The mass employed was 20 μg (for 1 ng of Te), with a maximal attainable pyrolysis temperature of 1400 °C without losses of the analyte or sensitivity (height, area and form of the atomization peak), being mo = 20 pg. Some speculations on the mechanisms of thermal stabilization of tellurium in graphite furnaces will be discussed.The potentiality of ETAAS for tellurium determination in technical grade sulfur will be evaluated. Results involving characteristics mass, limit of detection and percentage of recovery of tellurium in a mineralized sulfur sample will be compared with those obtained through a working curve in absence of interferences.     

Mechanism of cobalt atomization from different atomizer surfaces in graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry

The mechanism of cobalt atomization from different atomizer surfaces in graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry has been investigated. The atomizer surfaces were pyrolytically coated graphite, uncoated electrographite, and glassy carbon. The activation energy of the rate-determining step in the atomization of cobalt (taken as the nitrate in aqueous solution) in a commercial graphite furnace has been determined from a plot of log k_s vs. 1/T (for T values greater than the appearance temperature), where k_s is a first-order rate constant for atom release, and T is the absolute temperature. The activation energy E_a, can be correlated either with the dissociation energy of CoO_(g) or with the heat of sublimation of Co_(s), formed by carbon reduction of CoO_(s), the latter being the product of the thermal decomposition of Co(NO₃)₂. The mechanism for Co atomization seems to be the same for the pyrolytically coated graphite and the uncoated electrographite surfaces, but different for the glassy carbon surface. The suggested mechanisms are consistent with the chemical reactivity of the three atomizer surfaces, and the physical and thermodynamic properties of cobalt and its chemical compounds in the temperature range involved in the charring and atomization cycle of the graphite furnace.     

A sensitive atomic-absorption spectrometric method for the determination of tin with atomization from impregnated graphite surfaces

The atomization of Sn from graphite surfaces is potentially hindered by reactions with the surface. The impregnation of graphite tubes with other carbide-forming elements (W, Zr, Ta, Mo) favourably alters the surface characteristics of the graphite furnace for the atomization of Sn. At the acid concentrations needed to prevent the hydrolysis of Sn, these surfaces are considerably more stable (even after more than 100 atomization cycles) than those of pyrolytic graphite. Two graphite furnaces of different design, the HGA 72 and the HGA 76, were tested. With impregnated graphite tubes the determination of Sn is possible in the HGA 72 with a detection limit of approximately 15 pg. In the HGA 76 the tin determination is vastly improved with respect to prolonged lifetime of the furnaces and stable signals over much longer periods of time. Detailed interference studies reveal that the use of the "gas stop" mode minimizes the influence of many ions that are frequently either introduced by the decomposition reagents or present in the sample itself. The practical potential of this method is demonstrated for the determination of Sn in a slag material and in copper- and aluminium-based alloys.     

Morphological and spectroscopic investigation of the behavior of permanent iridium modifier deposited on pyrolytic graphite coated and zirconium treated platforms in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

In order to better characterise a permanent modifier based on iridium deposited on zirconium or tungsten treated platforms of transversely heated graphite atomizer, and to gain additional information about its chemical behavior directed to an eventual further optimization, a series of experiments were carried out, both by surface techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry on the iridium release from unmodified and various other modified pyrolytic graphite platforms. Special attention was paid to the influence of the amount of iridium, zirconium carbide coating of the platform surface and the presence of citric acid on the iridium vaporization during pyrolysis and atomization. The processes of iridium losses during pyrolysis and atomization and peak maximum alignment depend on the amount of the iridium deposited on the pyrolytic graphite coated platforms in the presence of nitric acid. A fractional order of release which suggests an atom vaporization from the surface or edges of the iridium islands was estimated. In the presence of citric acid, mass independence and zero order of the atom release were found. The zirconium treatment of the platform results in change of the spatial distribution of iridium and hence its vaporization. Vaporization temperatures as high as 2100°C, and first order of the process of atom generation were obtained. While it was possible to study the iridium atomization from uncoated and zirconium coated surfaces, evidencing a different order for the release process, the same was not possible for the tungsten coated platforms due to an ‘overstabilization’ that brought the iridium atomization temperature out of the working range of the instrument used. The different chemical behavior of tungsten and zirconium was also confirmed by XPS investigations. With tungsten, evidence of both W---C and W---O bonding was found, while zirconium on the contrary shows only Zr---O bonding and no evidence of carbide bonding. The SEM revealed a highly dispersed distribution of spot-like features whose smallest average diameter was of the order of 0.1 μm. The XRF asserted the confinement of iridium in these features and a strict association with zirconium in the case of zirconium treated surfaces. It is worth mentioning that such structure was preserved also after 400 thermal cycles simulating an atomization step at 1900°C despite a quite evident deterioration of the graphite surface, thus confirming the excellent durability of this modifier.     

Determination of trace amounts of gold in waste water by graphite furnace atomic-absorption spectrophotometry with preconcentration on trioctylphosphine oxide chemically modified tungsten wire matrix

Preconcentration on a trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) chemically modified tungsten wire matrix followed by graphite furnace atomic-absorption spectrophotometry measurement is described for the determination of trace gold in waste water. The TOPO modified tungsten wire matrix, after accumulating the gold, is placed in a graphite cup for direct atomization and measurement. Under the selected conditions, the absorbance is proportional to the concentration of gold over the range 0.4-18 ng/ml and the detection limit is 0.2 ng/ml. This method is sensitive and convenient. It has been applied to some waste waters with satisfactory results.     

Comparison of action of mixed permanent chemical modifiers for cadmium and lead determination in sediments and soils by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Slurry sampling atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization was used to the determination of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in soils and sediments using permanent modifiers. Comparison of action of mixed permanent modifiers niobium (Nb)/iridium (Ir) and tungsten (W)/iridium (Ir) were studied in detail. The effect of amount of Ir, W and Nb on analytical signals of Cd and Pb was examined. The optimal amounts of modifiers for Cd and Pb determination were stated. Niobium carbide formation on graphite surface was studied for different pyrolysis temperatures. Finally for Cd determination in sediments and soils 200 μg of Nb mixed with 5 μg of Ir was used as permanent modifiers and 15 μg of Nb mixed with 200 μg of Ir for Pb determination. Suspensions were prepared in 5% HNO₃. The analytical procedure was optimized carefully basing on data from pyrolysis and atomization curves studies. Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate was used additionally as matrix modifier during Cd determination in samples in order to prevent interferences coming from matrix components. The analysis of CRMs confirmed the reliability of the proposed approach. The precision and accuracy of Cd and Pb determination by the described method for soils and sediments were acceptable.     

石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定全血中铅的方法改进

针对不同的石墨管测定全血中铅时，用铅标准溶液制作的标准曲线和以全血为基体制作的标准工作曲线斜率的不一致，提出以磷酸氢二铵、磷酸氢二钠和硝酸铵作基体改进剂，以全血为基体制作标准工作曲线来测定全血中铅含量的方法。试验表明，此法基本消除了全血基体对血铅测定的影响，适应各种石墨管，可快速、准确地测定全血中铅。     

Graphite-furnace atomization of phosphorus

The slopes of the ln (absorbance) vs. T^?1 dependences for platform/graphite furnace atomization of phosphorus in the presence of Ni²⁺ or La³⁺ modifiers are measured, and found to be similar to the theoretical slope calculated for isothermal atomization. It is concluded that in both cases the atomization mechanism is the same and is expressed by P_2(gas) ? 2P_(gas); P_(gas) ? P^*_(gas). The atomic absorption signal for phosphorus appears and reaches its maximum later when the atomization is carried out from the platform in the presence of modifiers. Hence atomization takes place under nearly isothermal conditions and is much more efficient, thus providing the best conditions for the determination of phosphorus. Treatment of a deteriorated graphite surface with ZrOCl₂ solution repairs any defects and improves the sensitivity of phosphorus determination.     

Extractable chromium determination in soils by AAS

The lixiviation of trace metals from soils using selective extractants gives valuable information, especially for agricultural purposes. The two reagents validated by a group of European researchers coordinated by the Measurements and Testing Program (MAT) of the Commission of the European Community, in single extraction procedures, are EDTA 0.05 moll^–1 and CH₃COOH 0.43 moll^–1.This paper reports the effect of these extractants upon chromium determination in extracts by AAS. Matrix effects were studied in extracts of two soils of different origin: a terra rossa soil from a Mediterranean area and a sewage amended soil.For the FAAS technique, the matrix effects were studied for air-acetylene and nitrous oxide-acetylene flames and using Cr(VI) and Cr(III) as standard solutions. The interfering effects observed are circumvented by the use of 1% 8-hydroxyquinoline as suppressor agent.For the ETAAS technique, charring and atomization curves were obtained for extracts in each reagent and after setting up the graphite furnace program, matrix effects were studied. Different matrix modifiers (Mg(NO₃)₂, Pd and Triton X-100) were also tested.Once the analytical method had been established, single extraction procedures were applied in the two soils, determining the percentage of extractable chromium in relation to the total content.     

Determination of beryllium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using tungsten surfaces and zirconium modifier

Electrothermal atomization of beryllium from graphite and tungsten surfaces was compared with and without the use of various chemical modifiers. Tungsten proved to be the best substrate, giving the more sensitive integrated atomic absorption signals of beryllium. Tungsten platform atomization with zirconium as a chemical modifier was used for the determination of beryllium in several NIST SRM certified reference samples, with good agreement obtained between the results found and the certified values. The precision of the measurements (at 10 μg L⁻¹), the limit of detection (3σ), and the characteristic mass of beryllium were 2.50%, 0.009 μg L⁻¹ and 0.42 pg, respectively.     

Determination of Antimony in Environmental Samples by ETAAS Using Different Permanent Modifiers

Single noble metal permanent modifiers such as, Rh, Ir, and Ru, as well as mixed tungsten plus noble metal (W–Rh, W–Ru, W–Ir) permanent modifiers thermally deposited on the integrated platform of a transversally heated graphite atomizer (TGA) were employed for the determination of antimony in sludge, soil, sediment, coal, ash and water samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS).Microwave digests of solid samples and water samples were directly introduced into different pre-treated platforms of graphite tubes. The performance of the modifiers for accurate antimony determination in real samples depended strongly on the type of permanent modifier chosen. The single noble metal (Rh, Ir and Ru) permanent modifiers were suitable for analyte determinations in simpler matrices, such as waters (recoveries of certified values 95–105%), but the analyte recoveries of certified values in sludge, soil, sediment, coal, and ash samples were always lower than 90%. On the other hand, for the determination of antimony, using W–Rh, W–Ru, and W–Ir permanent modifiers presented recoveries of certified values within 95–105% for all the samples.Long-term stability curves obtained for the determination of antimony in environmental samples with different permanent modifiers (Rh, Ir, Ru, W–Rh, W–Ir, W–Ru) showed that the improvement in tube lifetime depends on the tungsten deposit onto the platform. The tungsten plus noble metal permanent modifier presents a tube lifetime of at least 40% longer compared to a single permanent modifier.     

Effects of atomization surfaces and modifiers on the electrothermal atomization of cadmium

Atomization of cadmium on tungsten carbide, molybdenum carbide and metallic palladium coated platforms and on pyrolytic graphite coated platforms with and without tungsten, molybdenum and palladium modifiers has been studied. A physical vapour deposition method is used for coating. A high thermal stability, a greater appearance temperature and a decrease in sensitivity are found when compared with atomization on conventional platforms. Diffusion and kinetic parameters are obtained using different models. More than one activation energy (E_a) and frequency factor (v) are obtained depending on the atomization temperature while the atomic vapour appears. These results may indicate that more than one formation process is simultaneously present or that the evolution from one formation process to another is temperature dependent. Greater values of E_a and v are found during atomization on the molybdenum carbide coated platform and when molybdenum or palladium modifiers are used. This may suggest that strong cadmium-metal interaction is present. This strong interaction is not present when palladium is used as a metallic coating, although a similar trend in thermal stability is observed. The contribution of the expansion to the atomic vapour dissipation is also evaluated.