Platform, wall and probe electrothermal atomization for the determination of aluminium in clinical fluids

Abstract

A detailed examination of three electrothermal atomization techniques (wall, platform and probe) for the determination of aluminium in clinical fluids was carried out. The optimum instrument conditions and atomization technique were compared for two commercial instruments. Platform atomization using integrated absorbance measurement was the method chosen for the determination of aluminium in tap water, dialysis fluids and serum samples. The serum samples were diluted 1 + 1 with 0.2% v/v Triton X-100. No chemical modifier or sample pretreatment was necessary. The concentration of aluminium was evaluated directly by aqueous standard calibration. The detection limits were similar for both instruments (about 1.5 µg dm^–3). Probe atomization was convenient for reducing interference effects. Some practical drawbacks were observed for serum analysis.