Abstract
The most commonly used analytical tools for determination of elements at trace levels are atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), inductively coupled plasma, optical emission and mass spectrometry (ICP-OES and ICP-MS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Although sensitive plasma techniques are becoming predominant in most of the western laboratories, AAS keeps its importance in developing countries. Simple and inexpensive ways of enhancing sensitivity will be described for laboratories equipped with only a flame AA spectrometer. Although there are many chemical preconcentration procedures to improve sensitivity of flame AAS, only some atom trapping techniques will be included here. One kind of atom trapping device is a slotted quartz tube (SQT) used for in situ preconcentration of analyte species followed by a rapid revolatilization cycle to obtain an enhanced signal. These devices provide limits of detection at a level of g L-1. Another kind of atom trapping involves use of vapor generation technique and quartz or tungsten atom trapping surfaces. The analytical steps consist of the generation of volatile species, usually by hydride formation using NaBH4, trapping these species at the surface of an atom trap held at an optimized temperature and finally re-volatilizing analyte species by rapid heating of trap. These species are transported using a carrier gas to an externally heated quartz tube as commonly used in hydride generation AAS systems; a transient signal is formed and measured. These traps have limits of detection in the order of ng L-1.
O.YavuzAtaman. (2007) Economical Alternatives for High Sensitivity in Atomic Spectrometry Laboratory, Pakistan Journal of Analytical & Environmental Chemistry, Volume 8, Issue 2.
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