Attempts to eliminate interferences in the determination of arsenic, antimony, tin and germanium by molecular emission cavity analysis with the hydride generation technique

Abstract

Interferences in the determination of arsenic, antimony, tin and germanium by molecular emission cavity analysis with the hydride generation technique are reported. Many ions suppressed the emissions. Most of the interferences on the emission of arsenic, antimony and germanium were eliminated by masking with EDTA, which, however, caused broadening of the tin peak. Suppression by Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ of the tin emission was more serious in the presence of EDTA. The effect of Hg²⁺ on the emission of arsenic, antimony and tin was eliminated by masking with potassium iodide, and that of Ag⁺ on the emission of antimony and tin was eliminated by separating as silver chloride. Cu²⁺ suppressed all four emissions and suppression of the arsenic emission was eliminated by separating Cu²⁺ as its hexacyanoferrate(II) precipitate; this precipitate strongly adsorbed antimony, tin and germanium ions.