Packed glassy carbon tube atomizer for direct determinations by atomic absorption spectrometry, free from background absorption

Abstract

An electrothermal atomizer consisting of a long glassy carbon tube packed with activated charcoal was evaluated for the direct determination of trace elements in biological materials by atomic absorption spectrometry, in the absence of any background absorption. The maximum temperature of the atomizer of 2280 °C was maintained continuously by an electric power supply of about 7 kW. Under such isothermal conditions, few chemical interferences and high accuracy (relative error <8%) and precision (RSO <3.5%) were obtained in the direct determination of trace elements (Cu, Mg and Mn) in National Institute of Standards and Technology biological Standard Reference Materials by solid sampling atomic absorption spectrometry.