Laser-excited atomic fluorescence spectrometry as a practical analytical method. Part I. Design of a graphite tube atomiser for the determination of trace amounts of lead

Abstract

Tube atomiser designs for the laser-excited atomic fluorescence spectrometric (LAFS) technique were investigated. Commercially available cuvettes of the Beckman 1268 type and Perkin-Elmer HGA-500-EA 3 type that had been modified for use with LAFS were used. The fluorescence was measured within the tube. These tube atomisers were tested and compared with a home-made rod atomiser by measuring the fluorescence of lead. The detection limits, sensitivities and reproducibility obtained by tube atomisation were greatly improved compared with rod atomisation. The influence of some metal nitrates and sodium sulphate on the fluorescence intensity of lead was investigated. With tube atomisation the interferences were reduced.