In situ removal of contamination from a palladium-magnesium chemical modifier within an electrothermal atomiser for the determination of cadmium in serum
Abstract
For the determination of cadmium in body fluids with electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometry, a method for the removal of cadmium contamination from a Pd-Mg chemical modifier has been devloped. The modifier was injected on to the platform and the cadmium removed by pre-heating to 1100 °C. After cooling, the sample aliquot was placed on the platform and an atomisation programme for cadmium was applied. The pre-treated Pd-Mg modifier retains the cadmium within the atomiser up to 800 °C. Air ashing was used to prevent the accumulation of carbonaceous residues, and the advantage of cooling to 20 °C prior to atomisation was demonstrated.