Abstract

A procedure for the determination of fluoride ion in aqueous solution was investigated. By using a tungsten boat furnace (TBF) vaporiser system, a micro-volume of aqueous sample solution was converted into atomic and/or molecular vapour, and the resulting vapour was transported to the plasma. By placing a small amount of tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution in the TBF as chemical modifier prior to analysis, the loss of fluorine, which would occur during the drying stage, was suppressed. With this system, the detection limit (3σ) of 6.39 µg of the aqueous fluoride ion was achieved. The relative standard deviation for ten replicate determinations was 5.0% for 100 µg of the fluoride ion. The calibration graph was linear in the tested range of up to 200 µg of the fluoride ion. Analytical results of several leachings out of rubber samples made of fluorocarbon polymer are given.