Determination of chlorine in bismuth and bismuth oxide by atomic absorption spectrometry and laser mass spectrometry

Abstract

To provide analytical tools for the preparation and oxidation of pure bismuth, we have developed techniques for chlorine determination in bismuth and bismuth oxide: indirect, using atomic absorption spectrometry, and direct, using laser mass spectrometry, with detection limits of 1 × 10−3 and 1 × 10−5 wt %, respectively. The techniques were used to assess the purity of bismuth in the refining and oxidation steps.