Rapid atomic-absorption spectroscopic analysis of molybdenum in plant tissue with a modified carbon rod atomiser

Abstract

A modified carbon rod atomiser was used for the determination of molybdenum in plant material. The sequential introduction of hydrogen, methane, nitrogen and oxygen into the atomiser eliminated the tedious and time-consuming chelation and solvent extraction procedure commonly used for the pre-treatment of samples. Methane also effected continuous re-coating of the atomiser with pyrolytic graphite. An optical device increased the precision of the injection of the samples. The improvement in precision, accuracy, sensitivity, rapidity and repeatability gained through the use of this modification was demonstrated by the determination of molybdenum in certified samples.