The determination of metals in petroleum samples by atomic absorption spectrometry : Part II. Determination of nickel

Some atomic absorption characteristics of xylene solutions of eight organometallic compounds of nickel in air—acetylene and nitrous oxide—acetylene flames are described. Different absorbances from various nickel organometallic compounds were observed; these differences were not eliminated by using the nitrous oxide—acetylene flame. Serious errors may arise when different organometallic compounds are used for calibration in the determination of nickel in xylene solutions of various petroleum samples. These errors are much less pronounced when nickel is determined by a standard addition technique. The effects of different sample matrices are discussed.     

Wavelength-modulated,continuum-source excited atomic fluorescence spectrometric system for wear metals in jet engine lubricating oils using electrothermal atomization

A system for measuring atomic fluorescence of atoms produced via an electrically-heated graphite filament in a flame (acetylene/air or acetylene/nitrous oxide) and excited with a 300-W Eimac xenon are lamp is described. The experimental system also included wavelength modulation for background emission/fluorescence/scatter correction and an optically-triggered electronic integrator for efficient monitoring of the analyte fluorescence signal. Copper, aluminum and molybdenum were determined in jet engine lubricating oil samples (1 μl) with no pretreatment. The determinations are evaluated with respect to the accuracy and repeatability criteria of the U.S. Joint Oil Analysis Program.     

Solvent extraction—flame spectrometric methods for the determination of indium in aluminium alloys

Atomic absorption and atomic emission methods for determining trace and minor amounts of indium in aluminium alloys are described. They involve the separation of indium from the aluminium matrix by extraction of indium diethyldithiocarbamate from hydrochloric acid at pH 3, and determination by emission at 451.13 nm or absorption at 303.9 nm in the extract; a nitrous oxide—acetylene or air—acetylene flame is used.     

Comparison of the helium/oxygen/acetylene and air/acetylene flames as atom sources for continuum-source atomic fluorescence spectrometry

The helium/oxygen/acetylene flame is compared to the more widely used air/acetylene flame for its utility as an atom cell for atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Nearly identical experimental arrangements were used for both flames in order to make the comparison valid. With a continuum source used for excitation, fluorescence detection limits in the helium/oxygen/acetylene flame were between 13 and 60 times better (lower) than those determined for the same eight elements in the air/acetylene flame. The improved detection limits are attributable mainly to the higher temperature, increased thermal conductivity and lower quenching in the helium flame. Fluorescence background spectra were obtained for both flames over the wavelength range 185–650 nm, and showed the helium flame to have slightly smaller background fluctuations, but a much larger background because of the more favorable fluorescence conditions in the flame.     

Emission spectra of nitrous oxide supported acetylene flames at atmospheric pressure

The emission spectra of a premixed flame of acetylene supported by nitrous oxide have been recorded under different fuel-gas mixture conditions. The emission spectra in these flames of a series of metals, for which it is difficult to obtain a significant population of ground state atoms for atomic absorption spectroscopy in more conventional flames, have also been studied. The red secondary zone which is present in the fuel-rich flames shows emission attributable to long-lived CN and NH species which form a strongly reducing atmosphere to inhibit refractory oxide formation from elements such as molybdenum, titanium and aluminium introduced into the flame. An attempt has also been made to explain some of the reactions which may occur between the flame species above the primary reaction zone.     

Study of interference in the flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of lithium by using factorial design

The severe interference of a number of metallic ions found in brines, marine sediments and sea water in the determination of lithium is demonstrated. Calcium, iron and sodium significantly depressed the absorption signal on lithium in an air/acetylene flame. Aluminium, magnesium and strontium up to 1500, 1000 and 200 μg/mL, respectively, showed no interference in the determination of lithium under the same conditions. Potassium produced some suppression of the lithium signal at levels in excess of 1500 μg/mL. Experimental data were examined using the factorial design method. Interference was demonstrated in two synthetic samples (models of “brine” and “marine sediments” ) and natural marine sediment. It was possible to eliminate all interferences using a higher temperature (nitrous oxide/acetylene flame). In addition, by using the standard addition method the interference disappeared, which confirmed the interference as a proportional systematic error.     

Chemical analysis of manganese nodules: Part III. Determination of Thallium,Molybdenum and Vanadium after Anion-Exchange Separation

A method is described for the determination of thallium, molybdenum and vanadium in manganese nodules. After dissolution of the sample in a mixture of perchloric and hydrofluoric acids, thallium and molybdenum are adsorbed on the strongly basic anion-exchange resin Dowex 1 (chloride form) from 6 M hydrochloric acid containing bromine. Molybdenum is eluted with 2 M perchloric acid-1 M hydrochloric acid and determined by a.a.s. with a nitrous oxide—acetylene flame. Thallium is eluted with an aqueous solution of sulphur dioxide and, after evaporation of the eluate, this element is determined by a.a.s. with an air—acetylene flame. The same method is used for the assay of vanadium in the 6 M hydrochloric acid effluent. The method was used successfully for the determination of thallium, molybdenum and vanadium at the ppm level in numerous samples of nodules from the Pacific Ocean and Lake Michigan.     

Microdetermination of molybdenum in organometallic compounds by molecular emission and atomic absorption spectrometry

A direct method is described for the determination of molybdenum in mg amounts of organomolybdenum compounds by flame emission or atomic absorption spectrometry. Air/acetylene, air/hydrogen and dinitrogen oxide/acetylene flames were used. The emission of molybdenum oxide is found to be analytically useful in the hydrogen-based flames while the acetylene-based flames are better for atomic absorption. Various organomolybdenum compounds were analysed by both methods as well as by an alternative spectrophotometric method, with satisfactory agreement. The procedure involves simply dissolving the sample in a mixed solvent and aspirating the solution into the flame.     

Study of interference in the flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of lithium by using factorial design

The severe interference of a number of metallic ions found in brines, marine sediments and sea water in the determination of lithium is demonstrated. Calcium, iron and sodium significantly depressed the absorption signal on lithium in an air/acetylene flame. Aluminium, magnesium and strontium up to 1500, 1000 and 200 μg/mL, respectively, showed no interference in the determination of lithium under the same conditions. Potassium produced some suppression of the lithium signal at levels in excess of 1500 μg/mL. Experimental data were examined using the factorial design method. Interference was demonstrated in two synthetic samples (models of “brine” and “marine sediments” ) and natural marine sediment. It was possible to eliminate all interferences using a higher temperature (nitrous oxide/acetylene flame). In addition, by using the standard addition method the interference disappeared, which confirmed the interference as a proportional systematic error. Received: 4 December 1998 / Revised: 3 March 1999 / Accepted: 6 March 1999     

Determination of silicone fluid surfactants in polyurethane/polyether blends by atomic-absorption spectroscopy

A method for the atomic-absorption determination of silicone fluid surfactants present in some polyurethane/polyether blends is described. The silicone fluid in the pure state, or in the presence of polyurethane blend, is diluted with a solvent and sprayed into the nitrous oxide/acetylene flame. The effects of solvent, instrumental conditions, time and presence of the polyurethane blends were investigated. Polyurethane/polyether blends do not interfere with the silicon absorption when the samples are dissolved in aqueous ethanol (1:1) and sprayed into a fuel-rich flame.     

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.     

Effects of cooling of a nitrous oxide—acetylene burner in atomic absorption spectrometry

A water-cooled burner is used for the determination of silicon, aluminium and calcium geological samples by a.a.s. The cooling modifies and stabilizes the nitrous oxide—acetylene flame so that sensitivity increases and the relative standard deviation decreases significantly in comparison with measurements in which traditional burners are used.     

Role of solution equilibria in atomic-absorption spectroscopy

The interference effects observed in series of absorption studies using nitrous oxide/acetylene or air/acetylene flames are interpreted in terms of the nature of the chemical species present in solution. The elements studied include Nb, Ta, Ti, Y, V, W and Ni, and species shown to influence the atomic absorption include hydrofluoric, phosphoric and sulphuric acids, the ions of Ca, K, Al, Fe and Mn, and compounds such as EDTA and ammonium acetate.     

The determination of sulphate in fertilizers by atomic absorption spectrometry

Methods are described for the determination of sulphate in superphosphate fertilizers. Barium sulphate precipitated from an acidified EDTA solution is filtered onto a membrane filter and redissolved in ammoniacal EDTA, and the barium equivalent to the sulphate is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Alternatively, after precipitation of calcium as oxalate during sample solution preparation, and by following a similar sulphate precipitation technique, excess of barium is determined in the filtrate. No interferences were encountered when a nitrous oxide—acetylene flame was used with a potassium ionization buffer.     

The role of various flame constituents in the production of atoms in the air—acetylene flame

Atom-formation processes in the premixed air—acetylene flame used in atomic absorption spectrometry are examined. Flame profiles of copper, indium and calcium atoms for five flames of differing acetylene: air ratios are compared with the flame profiles of temperature and the natural flame species C₂, CH and H. The flame profiles of the metals bear little resemblance to the temperature profile. C₂ and CH radicals are shown to be confined to the lower region of the flame (approximately to the region of the reaction zone), whereas H radicals persist far beyond the reaction zone. The strong resemblance of the profile of indium atoms to that of H radicals suggests the participation of H radicals in indium atom formation. Experiments on the action of the flame on solid calcium oxide similarly suggest the involvement of H radicals in the reduction of calcium oxide.     

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.     

Modeling the chemistry of plasma polymerization using mass spectrometry

The goal of the project is a solvent free painting shop. The environmental technologies laboratory is developing processes of plasma etching and polymerization. Polymerized thin films are first-order corrosion protection and primer for painting. Using pure acetylene we get very nice thin films which were not bonded very well. By using air as bulk gas it is possible to polymerize, in an acetylene plasma, well bonded thin films which are stable first-order corrosion protections and good primers. UV/Vis spectroscopy shows nitrogen oxide radicals in the emission spectra of pure nitrogen and air. But nitrogen oxide is fully suppressed in the presence of acetylene. IR spectroscopy shows only C=O, CH(2) and CH(3) groups but no nitrogen species. With the aid of UV/Vis spectra and the chemistry of ozone formation it is possible to define reactive traps and steps, molecule depletion and processes of proton scavenging and proton loss. Using a numerical model it is possible to evaluate these processes and to calculate theoretical mass spectra. Adjustment of theoretical mass spectra to real measurements leads to specific channels of polymerization which are driven by radicals especially the acetyl radical. The estimated theoretical mass spectra show the specific channels of these chemical processes. It is possible to quantify these channels. This quantification represents the mass flow through this chemical system. With respect to these chemical processes it is possible to have an idea of pollutant production processes.     

Determination of indium in aluminium alloys by flame atomic-absorption spectroscopy and flame atomic-emission spectrometry

The use of flame atomic-absorption and atomic-emission spectrometry for the determination of indium in aluminium alloys is described. Two types of flame are used: air—acetylene and nitrous oxide—acetylene. The efrect of other ions, especially aluminium, has been studied, and the use of lanthanum as a releasing agent is proposed for both techniques, the amount used depending on the amount of aluminium present.     

Organophosphorus acid interferences in flame atomic absorption spectrometry

The interference of the organophosphorus acids, 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-bisphosphonic acid, aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid) and hexamethylenediaminetetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid) on the determination of eighteen metal ions by flame atomic absorption spectrometry is reported. Comparisons with the effect of orthophosphoric acid reveal similarities and distinct differences in their interfering effects. In the air/acetylen flame, depressive interferences are attributed to the formation of phosphates, M₃(PO₄)₂, or hydroxynpatite-like compounds, M₅(OH)(PO₄)₃, in the flame aerosol particles for Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Mn, Co and Ni. Iron(III) and chromium(III) appear to form stable oxide phosphates, M₂O₃?MPO₄ or M₃O₄?MPO₄. Evidence for the formation of stable molybdenum carbides, MoC and MoC₂, is also presented. In the nitrous oxide/acetylene flame, serious interferences perssisted only for molybdenum but were eliminated by the addition of sodium sulphate.     

Comparison of two chelating agents immobilized on controlled-pore glass for the preconcentrationof aluminium from aqueous solutions

Aluminium at low μg cm^?3 levels can be preconcentrated on columns of 8-quinolinol or EDTA immobilized on controlled-pore glass. Distribution coefficients are ca. 45 and 370 cm² g^t-1, respectively, and recoveries of aluminium are >80% at pH >4.6 and pH >4.0, respectively. The eluted aliminium is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in a nitrous oxide/acetylene flame.