Determination of boron in iron- and nickel-based alloys by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with a zirconium—nickel chemical modifier and a zirconium-pretreated graphite tube

Abstract

A chemical modifier composed of nickel and zirconium salts and treatment of the graphite tube with zirconium solution were studied for the determination of boron in cast iron, Fe-, Ni- and Fe—Ni-based alloys. A combination of 3000 mg 1 −1 nickel and 1000 mg 1 −1 zirconium as chemical modifier and soaking the graphite tube in 10 g 1 −1 zirconium solution gave the highest analytical sensitivity. The interference effects of a major component (iron) and eight minor components (Cr, W, Nb, Ta, Mo, Ti, Al and Mn) were studied. The relative standard deviation for the determination of 0.013% of boron in a nickel-based alloy was 5.6% ( n = 8). The characteristic mass was 500 pg per 0.0044 absorbance.