Determination of gallium by extraction and atomic absorption measurement

Summary Gallium can satisfactorily be determined by atomic absorption in organic solvents using air-acetylene or nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. It is recommandable to extract it as chloride complex. By employing MIBK and nitrous oxide-acetylene flame a considerable increase of absorption signal and sensitivity and elimination of the interference effect of a large number of metal ions was achieved.

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Bestimmung von Gallium durch Extraktion und Atomabsorptionsmessung

Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe der Luft/Acetylen- oder N₂O/Acetylen-Flamme kann Ga aus organischen Lösungsmitteln mit guten Ergebnissen bestimmt werden. Zu bevorzugen ist die Extraktion als Chloridkomplex, Extraktion mit MIBK und Verwendung der N₂O-Acetylen-Flamme. So kann eine wesentliche Zunahme des Absorptionssignals, eine Verbesserung der Empfindlichkeit und Ausschaltung des störenden Einflusses zahlreicher Fremdionen bewirkt werden.

     

An experimental and theoretical evaluation of the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame as an atomization cell for flame spectroscopy

The formation of free atoms from aerosols of metal-containing solutions introduced into nitrous oxide-acetylene flames is examined by: (a) inference from well identified reactions and equilibria prevailing in cooler flames; (b) calculations employing a thermodynamic flame model; and (c) experimental observation of relative free-atom number densities in the flames as a function of stoichiometry. The calculated partial pressures of the major natural flame species and some of the spectroscopically observed minor species are presented as a function of the flow ratio of nitrous oxide to acetylene (p). Predicted relative number densities of Na, Mg, Cu, Fe, Li, Be, Al, W, Ti and Si as a function of p are compared with measured free-atom absorbances in an argon-shielded flame. These comparisons were completed for various heights above the burner tip. The data reported show that: (a) the degree of metal atomization in the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame can be adequately described by the equilibrium state; (b) in general, when solute vaporization is complete, there exists a value of ρ at which atomization is complete for metals that form monoxides with dissociation energies less than ~ 6.5 eV; and (c) certain metals may form carbon-containing compounds in the interconal zone.     

Change in ionization of barium in calcium and direct determination of barium in calcium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using the Ba ion resonance line

Partial pressures of barium at various concentrations of calcium are calculated, and degree of ionization of barium in the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame are determined experimentally and theoretically using the Saha equation. The ionization of barium (50 μg ml^?1 ) in the presence of 10000 μg ml^?1 of calcium was about one third of the theoretically expected value. Using the ion resonance line of barium permits the direct determination of barium down to 3 ppm in calcium matrices by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.     

Determination of total chromium in sediments by FAAS

The determination of chromium by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), e.g. as performed for environmental matrices, is still a controversial matter as can be concluded from a literature review. Most controversy is due to the measurement conditions or the effect of the interferences; other conditions such as digestion seem to be less critical. Consequently, this paper reports a systematic study of the instrumental settings for the two flame modes that are most widely used: air-acetylene and nitrous oxide-acetylene. In connection with the study of experimental conditions, possible interferences are investigated involving nineteen cations and some anions in different ratios Cr:interferent. Different releasers to overcome interferences are considered. The results are critically compared with current literature. For the operational conditions the quality parameters such as the linear range, detection limits, precision and accuracy are established. Although the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame is mostly recommended, this study reveals that a better choice can be the use of a fuel-rich air-acetylene flame with the addition of 1% 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) as protective agent. The method is applied to and validated by four sediment certified reference materials.     

Atomabsorptionsspektrometrische Bestimmung von Iridium mit Hilfe einer Lachgas-Acetylenflamme

Zusammenfassung Die Lachgas-Acetylenflamme (max. Temperatur 2955° C) wird erfolgreich zur Gehaltsbestimmung von komplex gebundenem Iridium verwendet, da die Absorptionen analytisch günstige Werte ergeben. Zur hinreichenden Anpassung von Eich- und Probenmaterial werden die Proben nach einem beschriebenen Verfahren chloriert und dann gemessen, ohne daß chemische Interferenzen bei der Absorption zu beobachten sind.

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Determination of iridium by atomic-absorption spectrometry using a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame

The nitrous oxide-acetylene flame (max. temp. 2955° C) is used successfully for the determination of iridium in a complex of not yet completely known stoechiometric composition. The absorption reaches values comparable to those produced by the colder (max. temp. 2300° C) air-acetylene flame. To adjust the samples to the Irstandard [IrCl₆]^2– a chlorination of the material is performed before measuring. No chemical interference can be observed after this treatment. The nitrous oxide-acetylene flame eliminates at last the trouble caused by incomplete chlorination of the samples with respect to the standard.

     

The application of a piezoelectric scanning Fabry-Perot Interferometer to the study of atomic line sources—III: Use of the channeled spectra produced with a continuum source for studies of the absorption line-width for calcium atoms in flames

An instrumental arrangement has been developed for the interferometric study of the half-width of atomic lines in absorption using a spectral continuum source. The variation of observed half-width of the calcium absorption line at 422·67 nm with calcium concentration has been examined in air-acetylene and nitrous oxide-acetylene flames supported as cylindrical flames with and without flame shielding and at long path burners. Extrapolation of the curves obtained to zero added calcium concentration in the flame may allow for correction for self-absorption and flame characteristics and calculation of collisional broadening half-widths and damping constants (a-parameters).     

Effect of mixed organic solvents on atomic absorption spectrophotometry of refractory metals

The effect of various organic solvents on the absorption characteristics of vanadium was studied in fuel-rich oxy-acetylene and nitrous oxide-acetylene flames. The absorption of the 3183.9 Å line of vanadium was greatly enhanced by the use of various mixed organic solvents when fed to oxy-acetylene flames. In the case of the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame, the addition of diethylene glycol (about 8% in the final solution) and similar compounds to the aqueous solution of vanadium increased the absorption by about 50%. The observations and the possible role of the mixed organic solvents are discussed.     

Systematic investigation of aluminium interferences with the alkaline earths in flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Summary Aluminium interferes with the absorption of Mg and Ca in the air-acetylene flame to such an extent that the corresponding absorbances may fall even to zero. This well-known chemical interference can be overcome with the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame, completely in the case of Mg, however only to a restricted extent in the case of Ca. Mg and Ca with concentrations of the AAS-working range in aqueous solutions and Cl^– or NO ₃ ^– as anions (in an aqueous HCl or HNO₃ matrix, respectively), were determined in the air-acetylene flame with continuously rising Al portions and with (or without) 0.25% Cs as radiation buffer, in order to quantify the degree of these interferences. The same was done to evaluate the extent of the suppression of those interference when using a releaser or protector reagent in both the air-acetylene and the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. After the decrease of absorption in the air-acetylene flame by forming thermally stable Mg or Ca aluminates, a rapid increase (positive interference) occurs unexpectedly in the presence of Cl^–±Cs and with further rising Al contents. This effect still appears for Ca also in the hotter nitrous oxideacetylene flame, however, only in a restricted extent. In the air-acetylene flame the undisturbed absorptions for Mg and Ca (i.e. the starting data without Al) are nearly reached again within the range of the positive interference. This supports the assumption that in consequence of a continuous equilibrium change in the flame because of the rising Al content and in the presence of Cl^– and ±Cs the formation of only pure Al oxides now generates the release of Mg and Ca (instead of the thermally stable aluminates in the beginning). In the air-acetylene flame interferences of 1000 mg/l Al are completely removed by an addition of 1% releaser-La, when measuring up to 0.2 mg/l Mg and up to 4 mg/l Ca. The extent of releasing Mg and Ca is effective only up to that Al concentration range which leads to the absorption maximum of Mg and Ca. In the nitrous oxideacetylene flame 5000 mg/l Al are compensated when determining up to 1 mg/l Mg. In the case of Ca, which is detected up to 4 mg/l, interferences of 1000 mg/l Al are only avoided by using the nitrous oxide acetylene flame together with 1% releaser-La. The excellent sensitivity of Ca in this flame (in contrast to the air-acetylene flame) permits a strong dilution, lowering thereby the interfering Al concentration, too. For Mg the same option is valid because of its high sensitivity in the air-acetylene flame.     

Study on the elimination of interferences in the determination of strontium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Summary Recommended operating conditions for the determination of strontium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry are given for both the air-acetylene and nitrous oxide-acetylene flames. Details are given of interference effects which can occur in the air-acetylene flame and also of a method to eliminate these effects using lanthanum as a releasing agent. In the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame no interference effects occurred if all solutions measured contained an ionisation buffer.

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Untersuchung zur Ausschaltung von Störungen bei der Bestimmung von Strontium durch Atomabsorptionsspektralphotometrie

Zusammenfassung Arbeitsbedingungen werden für die Luft-Acetylen- und die N₂O-Acetylen-Flamme gegeben. Die Störungen, die in der Luft-Acetylen-Flamme auftreten, werden im einzelnen besprochen und ihre Ausschaltung durch Lanthanzusatz beschrieben. In der N₂O-Acetylen-Flamme treten keine Störungen auf, wenn die Lösungen einen Ionisierungspuffer enthalten.

     

The determination of titanium in alloys by atomic absorption spectroscopy

A method is described for the determination of 0.1–1.2 % of titanium in steels, permanent magnet alloys and cast iron using atomic absorption spectroscopy with hydrofluoric acid solutions and a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. No preliminary separations are required. When the correct conditions are employed there is no interference from the other elements commonly found in these alloys.     

Spectroscopy in separated flames-V The argon- or nitrogen-sheathed nitrous oxide-acetylene flame in flame emission spectroscopy

The separation of the premixed nitrous oxide-acetylene flame by sheathing with argon or nitrogen is described. The interconal zone of the hot, slightly fuel-rich flame exhibits low background and noise levels and an extended reducing atmosphere, providing better conditions for the excitation of atoms of elements which form refractory oxides. The limits of detection found for nine such elements are greatly superior to those obtainable in the conventional unsheathed flame under similar conditions.     

Laser excited atomic fluorescence of some transition elements in the nitrons oxide-acetylene flame

A pulsed, tunable dye laser, pumped with a nitrogen laser is used to excite the atomic fluorescence of Sc, V, Hf, Nb, Os, Zr, W, Rh and Ru. Except in the case of Rh, the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame has been used. The results obtained for Zr and W are due to scattering of the laser radiation from unvaporized particles in the flame. Since, for most elements, several fluorescence lines of comparable intensity have been observed after the primary excitation process, the usefulness of observing non-resonance fluorescence is stressed, particularly with regard to the possibility of minimizing spectral interferences. The experimental results demonstrate that the limits of detection obtained with the dye laser source are comparable or better than the best atomic absorption limits only when the same primary absorption line used for the atomic absorption measurements can be used for exciting the fluorescence.     

The determination of aluminum and beryllium by atomic absorption spectroscopy

The use of atomic absorption spectroscopy for the determination of aluminum and beryllium has been studied. The nitrous oxide-acetylene flame was found to be useful for the determination of trace amounts of either aluminum or beryllium. Beryllium can also be determined in an oxy-acetylene flame at the 1 p.p.m. level and upwards if the aqueous solution contains 10% of diethylene glycol diethyl ether. The determinations were essentially free from interferences.     

The determination of rubidium and caesium in geological materials by atomic emission spectrophotometry with a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame

An atomic emission spectrophotometric procedure is presented for the determination of rubidium and caesium at the per cent and p.p.m. levels. A nitrous oxide-acetylene flame and a potassium ionization buffer are used. There is no need for prior separation, pre-concentration or general matrix matching of standards.     

Determination of calcium, magnesium and strontium in soils by flow injection flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Several procedures for the determination of Ca, Mg and Sr in soils have been compared on the basis of the accuracy of analysis of two NIST reference materials (Montana Soils SRM 2710 and SRM 2711). Samples were dissolved in a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids in sealed vessels in a microwave oven and in teflon beakers on a hot plate. The digests obtained from both dissolution methods were evaporated to dryness in an attempt to remove silicon. Boric acid was added to prevent the precipitation of the lanthanum releasing agent (as lanthanum fluoride) and potassium was added as an ionization buffer. Determinations were made by flame atomic absorption spectrometry with both the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame and the air-acetylene flame, with calibration either by standard additions or against external standards matrix matched with respect to nitric acid, boric acid, lanthanum and potassium. The silicon remaining in the solution was also determined by external calibration. A single-line flow injection manifold was used to overcome any problems due to the presence of high dissolved solids. A volume of 300 mul was injected into a water carrier stream flowing at 8 ml min(-1). To determine Ca in the air-acetylene flame, it was necessary to remove silicon. Magnesium was determined in either flame without complete removal of the silicon, however, for the determination of Sr, it was necessary to remove the silicon and use the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. The indicative value for Sr in SRM 2710 was too low: the value determined was 360+/-30 mug g(-1).     

Atomic-fluorescence spectroscopy of magnesium with a high-intensity hollow-cathode lamp as line source

Atomic fluorescence of magnesium is possible in air-propane or air-acetylene flames at 285.21 nm, using a high-intensity hollow-cathode magnesium lamp for excitation. The technique permits determinations of magnesium in the range 0.01–5 p.p.m., i.e. with more than 10 times the sensitivity of the atomic absorption method even for this most sensitive element. The detection limit in either flame is 1 ng/ml (signal: noise ratio 1 : 0.75). In a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame, atomic fluorescence may be carried out with linear signal/concentration dependence up to 100 p.p.m. without interference even from metals such as aluminium, titanium, etc. at a 1000-fold excess ratio to magnesium. A brief comparison is made with atomic absorption using the same source and equipment.     

The determination of gallium by atomic absorption spectrometry

The use of a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame for the determination of gallium by atomic absorption spectrometry was compared with the use of air-acetylene flames. The nitrous oxide method provided higher sensitivity and was much less sensitive to acid and base composition and to diverse added salts. Significant matrix and background effects, which occurred when gallium was determined in ore solutions with the air-acetylene flame, were eliminated with the nitrous oxideacetylene flame.     

Interference by acids in the determination of molybdenum by atomic absorption spectrometry

The nature of the acid environment in the determination of molybdenum by atomic absorption spectrometry is shown to be of considerable importance. The most favourable conditions are provided by dilute hydrochloric acid and especially nitric acid. Sulphuric and phosphoric acids are not recommended because of their marked but opposite effects. The air-acetylene flame gives more reproducible results than the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame.     

Determination of vanadium in ore samples by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry

An atomic-absorption method is described for the determination of vanadium in ores. With a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame and 200 ppm of Al(3+) added to the sample, a sensitivity of 0.2 ppm for 1% absorption can be obtained. Iron above 0.015M interferes but can be extracted into isopropyl ether from 8M hydrochloric acid; the hydrochloric add itself then interferes and must be removed by evaporation.     

Spectroscopy in separated flames-III Use of the separated nitrous oxide-acetylene flame in thermal emission spectroscopy

The separation of a premixed nitrous oxide-acetylene flame at a modified commercial burner is described. The reducing interconal zone of the fuel-rich separated flame exhibits low radiative background. The reducing atmosphere and high temperature of this flame result in an effective medium for the excitation of the atomic line spectra of the refractory elements. The use of the fuel-rich flame in the flame photometry of these elements has been investigated.