Determination of traces of lead and cadmium in high-purity tin by polarized zeeman atomic-absorption spectrometry with direct atomization of solid sample in a graphite-cup cuvette

Lead at the mug g level and cadmium at ng g -mug g levels in high-purity tin have been determined by polarized Zeeman atomic-absorption spectrometry with direct atomization of the solid sample. Pieces of high-purity tin weighing up to 5 mg for lead and 20 mg for cadmium were analysed. Calibration graphs were constructed by use of standard solutions of lead and cadmium in the presence of pure tin having lead and cadmium contents below the detection limit. The tin matrix remained in the graphite-cup cuvette after atomization and did not adhere to the wall of the cuvette, so it could be easily removed and the same cuvette repeatedly used.