Ascorbic acid as a matrix modifier for determination of tin in concentrated boric acid solutions by electrothermal atomic-absorption spectrometry

It has been found that the atomic-absorption signal for tin is reduced in the presence of 5 micro1 of 0.05-0.30M boric acid at STPF-conditions. It has been proposed that the reason for the boron interferences is the formation of SnB(g) at the atomization stage. In the presence of palladium chloride the interferences from 0.2M boric acid are reduced by a factor of 1.3. The interferences are reduced most effectively when the sample is atomized from a polycrystalline graphite platform or in the presence of ascorbic acid. The interference of up to 0.2M boric acid can be suppressed and the area of the tin signal doubled. It is proposed that the observed phenomenon is connected with the bonding of boron as non-volatile B(4)C. Ascorbic acid is the most effective matrix modifier for the determination of different trace elements in boron compounds.