Über die Verwendung von Aktivkohle zur Anreicherung von Spurenelementen mit nachfolgender Bestimmung durch Atomabsorptions-Spektrometrie

Activated carbon can be used as collector material in trace analysis. Due to the special character of activated carbon, not only unsoluble compounds can be enriched, but also many soluble chelate complexes of trace elements. For that purpose the buffered aqueous solution of the analytical sample containing complexing or precipitating reagents is filtered through a small filter paper covered with 50 mg of activated carbon. The trace compounds, and in many cases also the surplus reagent are adsorbed by the collector. By treating the carbon collector with acid after the process of trace enrichment, a trace concentrate free of unwanted substances is obtained. Thus it is possible to use sensitive electrochemical and optical methods for the determination. For the determination of the enriched elements by atomic absorption spectrometry, the activated carbon suspended in diluted nitric acid can be dispersed directly into the atomizer. The carbon particles do not cause any interferences. The application and the advantages of activated carbon for enrichment of trace elements in high-purity materials is demonstrated by some analytical examples.