Triethanolamine as a releasing agent for controlling interferences in the atomic absorption spectrometric determination of gold and its use as a collector for the flotation of gold

Abstract

The interfering effects of a range of organic and inorganic species on the atomic absorption signal of gold have been investigated. These interferences were completely eliminated by adding 6 mmol l^–1 triethanolamine (TEA) to both the sample and standard solutions. The role of TEA was extended to the extraction of gold, with 100% recovery, from aqueous solutions, using oleic acid as a surfactant at a pH of 0.5–2.0. A mechanism for the effect of TEA in the flotation and in the atomic absorption investigation was suggested. A simple, sensitive and rapid procedure for flatation and the atomic absorption spectrometric determination of gold in synthetic mixtures and natural waters was elaborated.