Electrothermal atomic-absorption spectrometry of antimony by use of a molybdenum micro-tube atomizer

Electrothermal atomization of antimony has been investigated to clarify the atomization characteristics and interferences from diverse elements, for accurate determination of traces of antimony. Thiourea served to lower the atomization temperature of antimony and to improve the sensitivity. Germanium and phosphoric acid were found to have a pronounced effect on atomization of antimony. The interference of various elements was suppressed in the presence of thiourea. A method involving extraction for determining antimony in metallurgical and geological samples is described.