Determination of nanogram amounts of bismuth by means of candoluminescence emission following application to the surface of a calcium oxide based matrix

Abstract

The blue emission stimulated by a hydrogen-nitrogen-air flame in a matrix that is mainly calcium oxide and which contains trace amounts of bismuth ions is used to determine 0·04–2·0 ng of bismuth in 0·4–1·0 µl samples. Up to a 50-fold excess of most ions can be tolerated; only Mn(II), Fe(II), Cr(III), V(IV) and Co(II) interfere seriously. Applications to the determination of bismuth in a copper alloy are reported.