Mechanism of atomization at constant temperature in capacitive discharge graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

At constant temperature (isothermal) maintained throughout in the capacitive discharge technique, the measured absorbance at any time t due to concentration of analyte atoms can be given by: absorbance = p[A]₀{k₁/(k₁?k₂)}[exp(?k₂t)-exp(?k₁t)], where p is a function of the oscillator strength (a constant) and the efficiency with which the analyte atoms are produced, [A]₀ is the initial concentration of the analyte atoms, k₁ and k₂ are first-order rate constants for formation and decay of analyte atoms, respectively. This technique yields k₁?k₂ and k₁t?k₂t; and so the above equation reduces to: absorbance ?p[A]₀, resulting in large enhancement in sensitivity. In the case of lead, the immediate precursor of the gaseous lead monomer is the gaseous lead dimer, which is partly lost by diffusion of the lead dimer with a first-order rate constant, k₃. The kinetic parameters k₁, k₂ and k₃ have been evaluated, and the values of k₁ at different temperatures used to draw the Arrhenius plots, from which activation energies of the rate-determining steps have been determined. The activation energies have been used to elucidate atomization mechanisms by extensive correlation of the experimental energy values with the literature values.     

The determination of arsenic by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace : Part 1. Difficulties in the direct determination

The direct determination of arsenic by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry is critically examined. Matrix stabilization by nickel salts is effective for preventing charring losses of arsenic, but cannot eliminate strong interferences. Direct analysis of environmental and biological samples is impossible because of the presence of aluminium, sodium, potassium and sulphates.     

The determination of beryllium and manganese in aerosols by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization

The determination of beryllium and manganese in air particulate matter collected on filter material is discussed. Destruction by digestion with nitric and perchloric acids and by low-temperature ashing with dissolution of the ash in a hydrofluoric-nitric acid mixture were tested. The graphite furnace parameters were investigated for different acid solutions. Interferences of some cations and anions that are abundant in aerosol material are described. Accuracy was checked against standard samples. For manganese, the results are compared with those obtained by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence.     

A new furnace design for constant temperature electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy

A new concept is described for the production of atomic vapour with a constant temperature graphite furnace. Samples are manually or automatically dosed into a graphite cup which is fastened tightly to an aperture of a graphite tube. For atomization, the tube is heated to a preselected temperature followed by heating of the cup by means of a separate power supply. Experimental results are given to characterize the performance of the furnace with regard to sensitivity, non-specific absorption and interference effects. Possible applications of the system are discussed.     

The atomic absorption determination of zinc with a graphite furnace

The use of a heated graphite furnace has been evaluated for the atomic absorption determination of zinc. Interferences were found to occur with most elements when present in large amounts; solvent extraction procedures have been investigated to avoid such effects. Results are reported for the solvent extraction and determination of zinc in the range 0.002–1 p.p.m.     

Metal speciation by coupled in situ graphite furnace electrodeposition and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The technique of coupled in situ electrodeposition–electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ED–ETAAS) is applied to the analytes Bi, Pb, Ni and Cu. Bi, Pb, Ni and Cu are deposited quantitatively from their EDTA complexes at E_cell=1.75, 2.0, 3.0 and 2.5 V, respectively (E_cell=E_anode−E_cathode+iR). By varying the cell potential, selective reduction of free metal ions could be achieved in the presence of the EDTA complexes. For Bi³⁺ and Pb²⁺ this utilised the voltage windows E_cell=0.6–1.0 and 1.8–2.0 V, respectively. For Ni, deposition at E_cell=1.7–2.0 V achieved substantial, but not complete, differentiation between Ni²⁺ (ca. 90–100% deposition) and Ni(EDTA)²⁻ (ca. 12–20% deposition). An adequate voltage window was not obtained for Cu. The ability of ED–ETAAS to differentiate between electrochemically labile and inert species was demonstrated by application of both ED–ETAAS and anodic stripping voltammetry to the time-dependent speciation of Pb in freshly mixed Pb²⁺–NaCl media. Application to natural water samples is complicated by adsorption of natural organic matter to the graphite cathode.     

Simultaneous determination of manganese and selenium in serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for determination of manganese and selenium in serum by simultaneous atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS) is proposed. The samples (30 mul) were diluted (1+3) to 1.0% v/v HNO(3)+0.10% w/v Triton X-100 directly in the autosampler cups. A total of 20 mug Pd+10 mug Mg(NO(3))(2) was used as chemical modifier. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for the simultaneous heating program were 1200 and 2300 degrees C, respectively. The addition of an oxidant mixture (15% w/w H(2)O(2)+1.0% v/v HNO(3)) and the inclusion of a low temperature pyrolysis step (400 degrees C) attenuated the build-up of carbonaceous residues onto the integrated platform. An aliquot of 15 mul of the reference or sample solution was introduced into the graphite tube and heated at 80 degrees C; subsequently, 10 mul of oxidant mixture+10 mul of chemical modifier was introduced over that aliquot and the remaining heating program steps were executed. This strategy allowed at least 250 heating cycles for each THGA tube without analytical signal deterioration. The characteristic masses for manganese (6 pg) and selenium (46 pg) were estimated from the analytical curves. The detection limits were 6.5 pg (n=20, 3delta) for manganese and 50 pg (n=20, 3delta) for selenium. The reliability of the entire procedure was checked with the analysis of serum from Seronormtrade mark Trace Elements in Serum (Sero AS) and by addition and recovery tests (97+/-9% for manganese and 96+/-7% for selenium) using five serum samples.     

Determination of manganese in brain samples by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple procedure for the determination of manganese in different sections of human brain samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry has been developed. Brain sections included cerebellum, hypothalamus, frontal cortex, vermix and encephalic trunk. Two sample preparation procedures were evaluated, namely, slurry sampling and microwave-assisted acid digestion. Brain slurries (2% w/v) could be prepared in distilled, de-ionized water, with good stability for up to 30 min. Brain samples were also digested in a domestic microwave oven using 5 ml of concentrated HNO₃. A mixed palladium+magnesium nitrate chemical modifier was used for thermal stabilization of the analyte in the electrothermal atomizer up to pyrolysis temperatures of 1300 °C, irrespective of the matrix. Quantitation of manganese was conducted in both cases by means of aqueous standards calibration. The detection limits were 0.3 and 0.4 ng ml⁻¹ for the slurry and the digested samples, respectively. The accuracy of the procedure was checked by comparing the results obtained in the analysis of slurries and digested brain samples, and by analysis of the NIST Bovine Liver standard reference material (SRM 1577a). The ease of slurry preparation, together with the conventional set of analytical and instrumental conditions selected for the determination of manganese make such methodology suitable for routine clinical applications.     

Chemical reactions in the determination of germanium by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The chemical reactions of Ge in the graphite furnace are determined by atomic absorption measurements, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and molecular absorption. The sodium germanate formed after the drying cycle is reduced by the carbon of the tube to elemental Ge. Volatile GeO is formed during this reduction process at temperatures higher than 1100 K leads to losses of atomizable Ge. Excess of NaOH enhances the absorbance value of Ge by a factor of two. The reason for this effect is an additional reduction process of GeO to Ge by metallic sodium at temperatures higher than 1500 K. Impregnation of the tube surfaces by carbide forming elements also leads to an enhancement of absorbance.     

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.     

Direct determination of manganese in microgram amounts of pancreatic tissue by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Manganese is determined by the direct insertion of freeze-dried biological samples (1–15 μg) or by injection of 2-μl samples of perifusion medium into the graphite furnace. At the most sensitive wavelength (279.5 nm), down to 0.2 pmol of manganese can be measured in the perifusion medium as well as the endogenous manganese in the endocrine and exocrine parts of the pancreas. The latter values were 0.08 ± 0.01 and 0.16 ± 0.01 mmol Mn kg^-1 (dry wt.), respectively. A less sensitive wavelength (403.1 nm) is employed for measuring the larger amounts obtained after incubating the specimens in the presence of manganese(II).     

The determination of gold in vegetation by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method is described for determining nanogram quantities of gold in vegetation. The sample is digested with fuming nitric acid. After addition of hydrochloric acid, the gold is extracted into 1 ml of 4-methylpentan-2-one; the organic layer is back-extracted with distilled water to remove iron interference, and gold in the organic layer is determined by electrothermal (graphite furnace) atomic absorption spectrometry. Limits of detection depend on the volume of organic phase used but can be as low as 0.2 ng g^?1 for an original sample weight of 1 g.     

The determination of germanium by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite tube atomizer

A carbon filament atom reservoir and a graphite tube atomizer are compared as methods for the determination of germanium by atomic absorption spectrometry. It is shown that the filament technique is not applicable, probably because of loss of the sample as a volatile oxide species which results in inefficient atomization. The design of a small graphite tube atomizer is described; with this, a limit of detection for germanium of 3·10^-10 g was found. For a 20-μl sample, this corresponds to a concentration of 0.015 p.p.m. The interfering effect of 13 anions and cations is studied.     

Halide interferences in an electrothermal graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with group IIIB elements as studied by atomic and molecular absorption signal profiles

Molecular absorptions of monohalides (MX; X = F, Cl and Br) of alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals and Group IIIB elements produced in a conventional electrothermal graphite furnace atomizer have been observed by a rapid measurement system. Their characteristic data are summarized as appearance and peak temperatures and the analytical sensitivities. Furthermore, molecular absorptions ofAlF and InF are utilized to study the interference of fluoride with aluminum and indium atomic absorptions. Although the formations of AlF and InF suppress the atomic absorptions ofAl and In, respectively, the time-overlap in signal appearance of atomic absorptions of these two elements and molecular absorptions of their monofluorides is not observed. This is contradictory to pure “vapor phase mechanism”, and indicates that processes occurring on the graphite surface are also important. Usefulness of strontium nitrate as a matrix modifier for the determination of indium was also demonstrated.     

Temperature of a W ribbon furnace in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Temperatures of the surface of a W ribbon furnace were measured using a pyrometer. The accuracy of the indicated temperatures was ascertained by a method based on the melting points of some metals, and it was demonstrated that the furnace temperature can be obtained with the pyrometer within an error of ± 15 K in a range from 1000 to 2000 K.A mathematical model for predicting the temperature was also proposed. The model is based on the power balance during atomization in the furnace. Two terms are essential: the power supplied to the furnace and the power lost by convection of sheath gas. Temperatures calculated by this model agreed well with those measured with the pyrometer.     

石墨炉原子吸收法快速测定血液中铅和镉

建立了快速测定血液中铅和镉的石墨炉原子吸收光谱法。使用5%硝酸溶液对样品进行脱蛋白处理,然后在旋涡混合器上振摇,离心后取上清液上石墨炉原子吸收进行测定。 结果表明,Pb、Cd工作曲线线性关系良好,相关系数均大于0.9994;方法检出限分别为4.32μg/L和0.27μg/L;Pb的回收率为91.60%～97.31%,镉的回收率为97.04%～98.86%;Pb测定的RSD（n=7）为2.35%,Cd测定的RSD（n=7）为1.53%。冻干牛血铅、镉标准物质GBW09139k和GBW09140k的测定值与参考值吻合。该方法快速准确,精密度、准确度、检出限等测定结果令人满意。可以作为日常血铅、血镉的检测的方法。     

Fluoride matrix modifiers for the determination of aluminum by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A method was tested for the determination of aluminum by graphite furnance atomic absorption spectrometry using hydrofluoric acid and cesium fluoride as matrix modifiers. Alunimum trifluoride is stable to 1291°C, after which it sublimes to form AlF₃ gas. The subsequent gas-phase atomization of AlF₃ occurs rapidly, and produces clean, sharp absorption peaks. This method has a detection limit of 7 pg Al at a confidence interval of 95%. The method is fairly insensitive to interferences, with the exception of strongly complexing organic acids. The addition of CuF₂ to the matrix appears to eliminate interference from organic acids, but was found to produce a high background absorbance and to shorten the life of the graphite tube.     

Determination of kinetic parameters for atom formation at constant temperature in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy

A new method for the simultaneous determination of the kinetic order and activation energy for atom release under isothermal condition in a graphite furnace has been developed. Tungsten wire probe atomization was employed to examine the validity of the present method. By means of this model, the kinetic parameters for the atomization of Bi, Ge, Pb and Mn at constant temperatures were successfully determined. The values of the kinetic order and activation energy were found to be 0.67 ± 0.01 and 302 ± 8 kJ mol⁻¹ for Bi, 1.01 ± 0.08 and 109 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ for Ge, 0.46 ± 0.01 and 159 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ for Pb and 0.97 ± 0.03 and 372 ± 5 kJ mol⁻¹ for Mn, respectively. The atomization mechanism for these four elements from the tungsten probe surface was also discussed.     

The determination of manganese in urine by atomic absorption spectrometry

Urine samples were digested with a mixture of nitric, sulfuric, and perchloric acids containing molybdate as catalyst. A two-point standard addition technique involved extracts of buffered, digested aliquots containing 10- and 20-p.p.b. manganese(II) in the aqueous phase. The extraction system was MIBK-cupferron. Of the substances tested only bismuth, antimony, and thallium interfered. From the same subject, five morning urine samples averaged 3.0 p.p.b. of manganese with a range of 2.0–4.2 p.p.b.; the average deviation was 0.6 p.p.b.