Determination of thallium in cadmium and lead by graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry with sample vaporization from a platform

When the sample is vaporized from the wall of a graphite furnace it is not possible to determine thallium in cadmium and lead by AAS without matrix matching of the standards. In the case of a lead matrix and vaporization from the wall, the thallium signal is barely distinguishable from the base-line. When the sample is vaporized from a platform, and the peak area is used for measurement, pure aqueous standards may be used for instrument calibration. The peak heights and areas of the thallium signals are considerably enhanced by vaporization from a platform (peak height 1.7-fold and peak area 2.6-fold in pure aqueous solutions as compared to vaporization from the wall). The enhancement factors are larger in presence of the cadmium or lead matrix since here the reduced interference also makes a contribution.