Determination of trace metals in platinum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry following a closed-vessel microwave dissolution procedure

Abstract

A closed-vessel microwave dissolution procedure has been shown to reduce the time and amount of aqua regia(3 parts HCl + part HNO₃) required to dissolve platinum in comparison with conventional open-vessel hot-plate dissolution. Analytical results for the determination of Au, Pd and Pt indicated that both the microwave and hot-plate procedures gave low acid blank concentration values for Pb and Pd. Experiments with gold indicate that the closed-vessel microwave dissolution procedure should be used in areas where the risk of environmental contamination is high.