Trace enrichment with activated carbon and determination of trace metals in high-purity zinc and zinc(II) nitrate

A method is described for the enrichment and determination of trace metals such as Ag, Bi, Cu, Co, Cd, In, Pb, Ni, Tl, Fe and Hg, present as impurities in high-purity zinc and zinc(II) nitrate. When the sample solution, after addition of potassium ethyl xanthate, is filtered through a small filter paper coated with 50 mg of activated carbon, the trace elements are quantitatively adsorbed on the carbon. The trace elements (with the exception of Hg) are dissolved off with nitric acid and determined by atomic-absorption or emission spectrometry. Mercury is evaporated at 650 degrees and determined by flameless atomic-absorption. In 10 g of Zn oe 50 g of Zn(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O the limit of detection is 0.1-60 ppM and the coefficient of variation was 2.7-20%.