Shadow spectral imaging of absorbing layers in a transversely heated graphite atomizer: Part 1. Analyte atoms

The technique of shadow spectral imaging was used to investigate dynamics of formation and dissipation of Ag, In, Ga, Bi, Mn, Cu and Tl atomic layers in a transversely heated graphite tube atomizer (THGA) with and without integrated platform under gas-stop and gas-flow conditions. It is shown that non-uniform heating of the tube walls and platform surface in the radial cross section is the main reason for analyte transfer from atomizer bottom to less heated sides of the tube and platform before atomization temperature is reached. This transfer in the atomizer transverse cross section can be an additional factor that reduces matrix interferences in the THGA. In all the investigated cases, the atomic absorbing layers are not spatially uniform. Absorbance gradients grow up to 0.2 mm^− 1 even in the case of chemically inert silver atomization. Inverse atomization of In, Bi, Ga and Tl when atoms first appear in the atomizer's upper part was detected in THGA with platform. The effect of the internal gas flow on the spatial structure of analyte atoms is less pronounced in the transversely heated atomizer as compared to the end-heated furnaces.     

Shadow spectral imaging of absorbing layers in a transversely heated graphite atomizer: Part 2. Molecules and condensed-phase species

The dynamics of formation and dissipation of chloride, nitrate and sulfate matrix vapors in a transversely heated graphite tube atomizer (THGA) with and without integrated platform was investigated with the use of multi-channel atomic absorption spectrometry and the shadow spectral imaging technique. It is shown that non-uniform heating of the tube walls and platform in the furnace radial cross-section causes vapor transfer from atomizer bottom to less heated sides of the tube and platform. This transfer in the atomizer cross-section can be an additional reason for lower level of matrix interferences in the THGA and is a prerequisite for explosive atomization of some elements that appear as absorbance spikes. The cross-sectional structures of molecular layers and the cloud of condensed phase particles are highly inhomogeneous, resulting in absorbance gradients up to 0.2–0.5 mm^− 1. These structures differ significantly from those observed earlier in end-heated atomizers. Local vortices of the sheath gas, toroid-shaped and bridge-like structures of vapor layers were observed in the atomizer volume. The role of light scattering on the finally dispersed condensed phase particles in the transverse heated furnace is greater than that in the end heated atomizers because of near axis location of the cloud.     

Investigation of interferences in the determination of thallium in marine sediment reference materials using high-resolution continuum-source atomic absorption spectrometry and electrothermal atomization

A high-resolution continuum-source atomic absorption spectrometer with a xenon short-arc lamp as the radiation source, a compact double echelle monochromator with a focal length of 302 mm and a spectral resolution of λ/Δλ≈110 000, and a UV-sensitive charged-coupled device (CCD) array detector was used to investigate the spectral interferences found with a conventional line-source atomic absorption spectrometer in the determination of thallium in marine sediment reference materials. A transversely heated graphite furnace was used as the atomizer unit, and the samples were introduced in the form of slurries. A strong iron absorption line at 276.752 nm, which was observed at atomization temperatures >2000 °C in the vicinity of the thallium resonance line at 276.787 nm, could be responsible for some of the interferences observed with low-resolution continuum-source background correction. The outstanding feature at atomization temperatures <2000 °C was the electron excitation spectrum of the gaseous SO₂ molecule that exhibited a pronounced rotational fine structure, and is for sure the main reason for the observed spectral interferences. The molecular structures could be removed completely by subtracting a model spectrum recorded during the atomization of KHSO₄, using a least squares algorithm. The same results, within experimental error, were obtained for thallium in a variety of marine sediment reference materials using ammonium nitrate as a modifier, ruthenium as a permanent modifier in addition to ammonium nitrate, and without a modifier, using aqueous standards for calibration, demonstrating the ruggedness of the method. A characteristic mass of 15–16 pg Tl was obtained, and a limit of detection of 0.02 μg g⁻¹ Tl was calculated from the standard deviation of five repetitive determinations of HISS-1, the sediment with the lowest thallium content.     

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 impurities in titanium dioxide by direct solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A true direct solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry method with Zeeman-effect background correction (Analytik Jena ZEEnit 60 AAS) was developed for the determination of As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sb and Zn in powdered titanium dioxide of pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics grade. The interaction of the titanium matrix and graphite surface of the sample carrier boat in a transversely heated graphite tube atomizer was investigated. Conversion of titanium dioxide to interfering TiO₂–TiC-liquid phase, running out the sampling boat, was observed at temperatures above 2000 °C. The temperature program was optimized accordingly for these volatile analytes in atomization and cleaning steps in order to prevent this interference and to prolong significantly the analytical lifetime of the boat to more than one thousand runs. For all elements, calibration by aqueous standard addition method, by wet-chemically analyzed samples with different content of analytes and/or by dosing one sample in different amounts, were proved as adequate quantification procedures. Linear dynamic calibration working ranges can be considerably expanded up to two orders of magnitude within one measurement run by applying three-field dynamic mode of the Zeeman background correction system. The results obtained by true direct solid sampling technique are compared with those of other independent, mostly wet-chemical methods. Very low limits of detection (3σ criterion) of true solid sampling technique of 21, 0.27, 24, 3.9, 6.3 and 0.9 ng g^− 1 were achieved for As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Sb and Zn, respectively.     

Effect of the Pd–Mg Modifier, Magnetic Field, and Gas Flows on the Dynamics of Matrix Vapors in a Transversely Heated Graphite Furnace Atomizer

Shadow spectral filming is used to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of the formation and dissipation of vapors of potassium sulfate and aluminum and indium nitrates in a transversely heated graphite furnace atomizer. The integrated platform, the Pd–Mg modifier, the internal flow of the sheath gas, the magnetic field of the nonselective background corrector, and the diffusion of oxygen from the ambient air are responsible for specific nonuniformities in the spatial structure of the vapor cloud. The nonuniformities result to a large extent from the transverse nonisothermal conditions of the graphite furnace. The explosive splashes of aluminum vapors interfering with the analysis are generated at the cold side walls of the graphite furnace, where the vapors are condensed in the process, rather than on the particles of the dry residue of the sample. The beating of the magnetic-field induction inside the graphite furnace atomizer caused by the overlapping of the fields of the heating current (50 Hz) and the background corrector (54 Hz) results in low-frequency (4–5 Hz) oscillations of the spatial position of the vapor cloud. The matrix modifier can stimulate these oscillations.     

A two-step atomizer system using a transversely heated furnace with Zeeman background correction: Design and first solid sampling applications

A two-step-atomizer consisting of a transversely heated graphite atomization tube and a movable vaporizer graphite cup is described. The atomizer is placed between the poles of an electromagnetic field providing longitudinal Zeeman-effect background correction capability. The tube and the cup are heated by independent power supplies enabling the performance of atomic absorption measurements at temporally and spatially isothermal conditions. The design of the vaporizer provides several advantageous features including direct introduction of solid and liquid samples with extremely low contamination risk and a sampling volume of up to 105 μl. The performance of this system was assessed by analysis of the bovine liver NIST SRM 1577b and of a well characterized titanium dioxide material. Calibration curves for quantification were recorded by using aqueous standards. In comparison of the results obtained by this method with the certified values and with the results of independent methods, excellent to reasonable agreement was achieved. For the elements Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Zn in titanium dioxide, the achievable limits of detection were between 60 pg g^− 1 (Mg) and 0.7 ng g^− 1 (Fe).     

Investigation of the feasibility to use Zeeman-effect background correction for the graphite furnace determination of phosphorus using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry as a diagnostic tool

The determination of phosphorus by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry at the non-resonance line at 213.6 nm, and the capability of Zeeman-effect background correction (Z-BC) to deal with the fine-structured background absorption due to the PO molecule have been investigated in the presence of selected chemical modifiers. Two line source atomic absorption spectrometers, one with a longitudinally heated and the other with a transversely heated graphite tube atomizer have been used in this study, as well as two prototype high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometers, one of which had a longitudinally arranged magnet at the furnace. It has been found that Z-BC is capable correcting very well the background caused by the PO molecule, and also that of the NO molecule, which has been encountered when the Pd + Ca mixed modifier was used. Both spectra exhibited some Zeeman splitting, which, however, did not cause any artifacts or correction errors. The practical significance of this study is to confirm that accurate results can be obtained for the determination of phosphorus using Z-BC.     

Evaluation of tungsten–rhodium coating on an integrated platform as a permanent chemical modifier for cadmium,lead, and selenium determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A tungsten–rhodium coating on the integrated platform of a transversely heated graphite atomizer is proposed as a permanent chemical modifier for the determination of Cd, Pb, and Se by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. It was demonstrated that coating with 250 μg W+200 μg Rh is as efficient as the conventional Mg(NO₃)₂+NH₄H₂PO₄ or Pd+Mg(NO₃)₂ modifiers for avoiding most serious interferences. The permanent W–Rh modifier remains stable for 300–350 firings of the furnace, and increases tube lifetime by 50%–100% when compared to pyrolytic carbon integrated platforms. Also, there is less degradation of sensitivity during the atomizer lifetime when compared with the conventional modifiers, resulting in a decreased need of re-calibration during routine analysis. The characteristic masses and detection limits achieved using the permanent modifier were respectively: Cd 1.1±0.4 pg and 0.020 μgL⁻¹; Pb 30±3 pg and 0.58 μgL⁻¹ and Se 42±5 pg and 0.64μgL⁻¹. Results from the determination of these elements in water reference materials were in agreement with the certified values, since no statistical differences were found by the paired t-test at the 95% level.     

横向加热石墨炉的分析性能研究

研究了横向加热石墨炉的恒温性能和分析性能，并与Ｍａｓｓｍａｎｎ型炉进行了比较，结果表明，横向加热石墨炉具有较好的恒温性能，其原子化时间短，原子化温度低，原子吸收信号的占有时间短，特征质量ｍ０值低。     

Direct and simultaneous determination of arsenic, manganese, cobalt and nickel in urine with a multielement graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer

A simple method was developed for the direct and simultaneous determination of arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) in urine by a multi-element graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer SIMAA 6000) equipped with the transversely heated graphite atomizer and longitudinal Zeeman-effect background correction. Pd was used as the chemical modifier along with either the internal furnace gas or a internal furnace gas containing hydrogen and a double stage pyrolysis process. A standard reference material (SRM) of Seronorm™ Trace Elements in urine was used to confirm the accuracy of the method. The optimum conditions for the analysis of urine samples are pyrolysis at 1350 °C (using 5% H₂ v/v in Ar as the inter furnace gas during the first pyrolysis stage and pure Ar during the second pyrolysis stage) and atomization at 2100 °C. The use of Ar and matrix-free standards resulted in concentrations for all the analytes within 85% (As) to 110% (Ni) of the certified values. The recovery for As was improved when mixture of 5% H₂ and 95% Ar (v/v) internal furnace gas was applied during the first step of a two-stage pyrolysis at 1350 °C, and the found values of the analytes were within 91-110% of the certified value. The recoveries for real urine samples were in the range 88-95% for these four elements. The detection limits were 0.78 μg l⁻¹ for As, 0.054 μg l⁻¹ for Mn, 0.22 μg l⁻¹ for Co, and 0.35 μg l⁻¹ for Ni. The upper limits of the linear calibration curve are 60 μg l⁻¹ (As); 12 μg l⁻¹ (Mn); 12 μg l⁻¹ (Co) and 25 μg l⁻¹ (Ni), respectively. The relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) for the analysis of SRM were 2% or less. The R.S.D.s of a real urine sample are 1.6% (As), 6.3% (Mn), 7.0% (Ni) and 8.0% (Co), respectively.     

Transverse heated filter atomizer for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The filter furnace atomization concept was applied for the transverse heated atomizer. A graphite filter with graphite fiber reeled onto it was inserted into the tube of the standard transverse heated graphite atomizer (THGA) in the place of the platform. Automatic plugging of the sampling hole was applied during the atomization stage. The performance of the filter atomizer (THFA), compared with the THGA, was tested for the determination of Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Cu, Ga, In, Mn, Pb, Sb, Se and Tl. The analytical performances of the THFA displayed some advantages in comparison with the THGA. The sampling volume varied in the range of 5–90 μl, while drying time for any volume was less than half of that used for the THGA. Owing to the reduced diameter of the analytical zone (2 mm) along the filter axis, a sensitivity improvement was observed for all elements, 1.3–2.8-fold without plugging and 4.3–4.8-fold for Bi, Cd, Pb and Tl with plugging of the dosing hole. An increased peak width (by two to five times for the elements tested) limited the determination of less-volatile metals. The intensity of light decreased by 20–30% in comparison with the THGA. Taking into account the sensitivity, sampling volume, light loss and signal width, the calculated gain in relative detection limit is substantial (about 2.5–7 times) only for volatile elements when the plugging is applied. The pyrolysis temperatures for Ag, As, Au, Cd, Cu and Se in the THFA without addition of modifier were by 200–600°C higher than in the THGA using Pd/Mg modifier. The lifetime of THFA tubes was similar to that of THGA tubes.     

Evaluation of electrodeposited tungsten chemical modifier for direct determination of chromium in urine by ETAAS

The direct determination of chromium in urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) using graphite tubes modified with tungsten is proposed. Modification of the graphite is made by tungsten electrodeposition over the whole surface atomizer followed by carbide formation by heating the tube inside its own furnace. For tungsten electrocoating, the graphite tube and a platinum electrode were connected to a power supply as cathode and anode, respectively, and immersed in a solution containing 2 mg of W in 0.1% v/v HNO₃. Then, 5 V was applied between the electrodes during 20 min for tungsten electrodeposition over the whole atomizer. A SpectrAA 220 Varian atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with a deuterium background corrector was used throughout. Undiluted urine (20 μl) was delivered over the tungsten-treated tube and the chromium-integrated absorbance was measured after applying a suitable heating program with maximum pyrolysis at 1300 °C and atomization at 2500 °C. With electrodeposited tungsten modifier, the tube lifetime increased up to four times when compared to previous published methods for Cr determination in urine by ETAAS, reaching 800 firings. Method detection limit (3 S.D.) was 0.10 μg l⁻¹, based on 10 integrated absorbance measurements of a urine sample with low Cr concentration. Two reference materials of urines (SRM 2670) from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) were analyzed for method validation. For additional validation, results obtained from eight human urine samples were also analyzed in a spectrometer with Zeeman effect background correction.     

Determination of cadmium in urine specimens by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using a fast atomization program

A simple, fast, and reliable method was developed for the determination of cadmium in urine specimens by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The method involved dilution (1:1) of the specimens with a 4.0% HNO₃, direct injection of a 10 μl aliquot of the corresponding solution into a hot transversely-heated graphite atomizer (110 °C), and application of a fast atomization program (42 s) in which the conventional dry-pyrolysis sequence was substituted by a high-temperature (300 °C) drying step. The effect of the injection temperature (A), injection rate (B), pyrolysis’ ramp (C) and hold (D) times over the analyte’s integrated absorbance, peak-shape and repeatability of the measurements was evaluated by means of a 2^4-1 fractional factorial design. All those individual variables, as well as their first-order interactions (AB-, AC- and AD-type interactions) were found to exert a statistically significant effect (P<0.05). The lack of a chemical modifier other than the nitric acid itself benefited the overall methodology by allowing low-temperature atomization (1200 °C), enhanced atomic and background signals separation, and reduced blank values. A detection limit (3s, n=20) of 0.06 μg l⁻¹ Cd, corresponding to 0.12 μg l⁻¹ Cd in the urine specimen, and a characteristic mass of 1.78 pg/0.0044 s were obtained under the optimized conditions. The standard calibration technique (SCT) was used for quantitation. The successful determination of cadmium in Seronorm™ Trace Elements Urine Batch No. 115 (Nycomed Pharma AS) and in four urine specimens from volunteer donors (recoveries: 91.3-103.4%) attested to the robustness of the proposed method.     

Direct determination of P in biodiesel by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The direct determination of P in biodiesel by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry has been investigated. A slow drying stage proved to be essential for good repeatability. Optimization was performed by a D optimal planning. The atomization temperature and modifier composition were the most relevant parameters. Thus, using a mixture of Pd (30 μg) and Mg(NO₃)₂ (20 μg) as the modifier, previously deposited onto the platform of the graphite tube and dried, a five step drying stage, and pyrolysis and atomization temperatures of 1000 and 2700 °C, respectively, a limit of detection of 0.5 μg g^− 1 was obtained. The analysis of biodiesel of different origins confirmed that external calibration with organic P standard solutions, diluted in P-free biodiesel, could be used. In this way, excellent agreement between the found and expected results was observed in the analysis of an ANP interlaboratorial exercise sample.     

Graphite furnace atomic emission spectrometry with platform atomization

The effect of inserting a pyrolytic graphite platform into a heated graphite atomizer HGA-2100 on the atomic emission of Mo, V, Al, Ni, Cu, Cr, Mn, Zn and Cd has been studied. A comparison of calibration curves obtained with and without the use of the platform showed that although the linear dynamic range is diminished by the use of the platform, atomic emission intensities are increased by as much as 23.5 times in the most favourable case (Al) studied.Whereas no detectable net emission signal could be obtained from 5.0 × 10^?9 kg of Zn and Cd atomized from the graphite tube wall, atomization and emission from the platform yielded limits of detection: 2.7 × 10^?12 kg for Zn and 4.0 × 10^?12 kg for Cd.     

Comparative Study of the Effect of Sample Matrix on the Atomic Absorption of High-Volatile Elements in Two-Step and Conventional Atomizers

The space–time dynamics of absorbing atomic layers of cadmium and lead and molecular layers of zinc chloride in a commercially produced transverse-heated graphite atomizer and a newly developed two-step atomizer was studied. It was shown that the limiting temperature of cadmium pyrolysis in the two-step atomizer without the use of modifiers may be as high as 1000°C, whereas in the commercial analyzer is it not higher than 300°C. Levels of nonselective absorption due to sodium chloride were compared. It was found that, for a two-step atomizer, the maximum allowable mass of sodium chloride for which the background at lead and cadmium lines can be adequately compensated is 17–30 times higher than that for the commercial atomizer. The atomization of cadmium in the presence of sodium chloride was studied using time, space, and spectral resolution. It was shown that the effect of the chloride matrix in the two-step atomizer is suppressed because of sample fractionation and distillation in the course of its evaporation and condensation.     

Nickel and strontium nitrates as modifiers for the determination of selenium in wine by Zeeman electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A mixed matrix modifier of nickel and strontium nitrates was used as a chemical modifier for the determination of selenium in wines by Zeeman electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Wine samples were heated on a boiling water bath with small amounts of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. For complete elimination of interference, especially from sulfates and phosphates, selenium is complexed with ammonium pyrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDTC), extracted into methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), and measured by ETAAS. The graphite furnace temperature program was optimized for both aqueous and organic solutions. Pyrolysis temperatures of 1300?°C and 800?°C were chosen for aqueous and organic solutions, respectively; 2700?°C and 2100?°C were used as optimum atomization temperatures for aqueous and organic solutions, respectively. The optimum modifier mass established is markedly lower than those presented in the literature. The platform atomization ensures pretreatment stabilization up to 1100?°C and 1600?°C, respectively, for organic and aqueous selenium solutions. The procedure was verified by the method of standard addition. The investigated wine samples originated from the different regions of the Republic of Macedonia. The selenium concentration varied from not detectable to 0.93 μg L^–1.     

Study on the Atomization Mechanism of Hydrides in Graphite Furnace Atomizers

The influence of the surface state of the graphite furnace atomizer on the atomization of hydrides has been studied by means of surface film coating and quantum chemistry CN-DO/2 calculations. The results of the study prove that the atomization of AsH3, SbH3 and BiH3 in the graphite furnace atomizer is not a simple gas phase pyrolytic process, but a surface catalysis pyrolytic process.     

On the uniforming of the atomization process for inorganic and organic mercury in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The analytical performance of Pd, Au, Rh, Ir and their mixtures used as chemical modifiers has been investigated for mercury determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether chemical modification assures uniform atomization of analyte independent of its chemical form; mercury was used for this study. The investigations were performed for mercury introduced in the form of inorganic Hg(II) or organic PhHg(I). The best conditions, i.e. maximum pyrolysis temperature (450 °C), lowest temperature for atomization (1100 °C), provided almost the same sensitivity for both forms of mercury when a thermally reduced mixed modifier composed of Pd/Rh was used. The accuracy of the selected conditions was evaluated by a recovery test for various natural waters.