Determination of bromine using high-resolution continuum source molecular absorption spectrometry in a graphite furnace

Abstract

An analytical method is described for the quantitative analysis of bromine in water solutions as well as in organic solvents using high-resolution continuum source molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-MAS) in a graphite furnace. Bromine is determined by means of molecular absorption of calcium bromide at 625.315nm. First of all the time-temperature program is optimized and the measurements are accomplished with graphite tubes without integrated PIN platform modified with permanent zirconium modifier and with a Pd/Mg-Modifier. The linear range is extended up to six orders of magnitude (from pg to μg-range, absolute) and a limit of detection of 78pg Br absolute is achieved. The accuracy of the method is verified by the recovery rate of two inorganic and one organic salt, and the determination of a whirlpool disinfectant agent as matrix burdened sample. Also, spectral and non-spectral interferences are investigated, whereby only in the case of concentrations in the higher mgL−1-range, non-spectral interferences are observed for fluorine, chlorine, iodine, aluminum, and iron. Next to determination of bromine in water solutions, analysis of polybrominated flame retardants (BFRs) is presented. BFRs are under suspicion of having partial toxic and neurotoxic effects. That is why an easy-to-handle method for the determination of bromine to calculate afterwards the BFR contents by means of the bromine mass fraction is of current interest. After adaptation of the heating program to organic solvents, bromine in three BFRs is determined quantitatively. So, the determination of bromine via HR-CS-MAS is suited for the analysis of low-matrix burdened samples and also in organic compounds. Anymore, this method is a fast, easy-to-handle technique with a low limit of detection.