Spectral interferences from phosphate matrices in the determination of arsenic, antimony, selenium and tellurium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The spectral interferences of phosphorus species originating from the thermal decomposition of calcium phosphate on Sb, As, Se and Te resonance lines, and the influence of increasing amounts of Ce, Ni, W, Pd, Pt, Zr and other elements on non-correctable signals generated by calcium phosphate and on selenium and phosphorus sensitivity have been studied. The results indicate that spectral interference is caused by P₂ absorption and that the extent of interference depends on the wavelength and the spectral band width. The generation of P₂ is masked by large amounts of all the tested reagents. There is a significant reduction in selenium sensitivity in the presence of high concentrations of Ce, Pd and Pt while no decrease in sensitivity is caused by the presence of even 1% nickel and tungsten solutions. All the reagents tested provided enhanced phosphorus sensitivity, thorium being the best.