Aerosol deposition-carbon furnace atomisation for simultaneous multi-element atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A commercially available aerosol deposition-carbon furnace atomiser was used with a simultaneous multi-element atomic absorption continuum source (SIMAAC) spectrometer. The optimum deposition temperature was 120 ± 20 °C. Within this temperature range, no difference was observed for the behaviour of standards in 0.5 and 5% nitric acid. The analytical signal was linear with respect to the aerosol deposition time. The analytical signals (both peak height and area) of all 16 elements were independent of the atomisation temperature above a threshold temperature (characteristic of each element). The compromise atomisation temperature was dictated by the least volatile element. Detection limits and characteristic concentrations were dependent on the deposition time. Simultaneous determination of nine elements in NBS SRM 1643a, acidified water, and in well-characterised fruit juices yielded accurate results.