Atomization mechanisms of silicon in a graphite furnace atomizer

Abstract

An attempt has been made to identify molecular species that are formed during the atomization cycle of Si in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Clear evidence has been obtained that two molecular species are formed, presumably SiO and SiC₂. In order to gain an insight into the reactions whereby these molecular species are formed and Si atoms from these species, the effect on the signal of the addition of O₂, CO₂, CO and H₂ to the purge gas was investigated. By using the results of these experiments, a mechanism for the atomization of Si in the graphite furnace atomizer is proposed.