Direct determination of trace metals in graphite powders by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

Trace concentrations of Li, Na, K, Mg, Al, Fe, Ni and Cr in graphite powders were determined directly by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). As matrix interferences from graphite powder were easily removed by pre-heating at 800–850 °C for 180 s in an air stream, good peak profiles were obtained. With a pyrolytic graphite coated graphite tube and L'vov platform, simple metal standard solutions were used as calibration standards. The results obtained for the graphite powders JAERI G3, G5 and G6 agree with those reported previously by Watanabe and Takashima. The relative standard deviations are within ±10% for each metal determined. The time required for the determination of the eight trace metals studied is 10 h.