Determination of tellurium in geochemical materials by flameless atomic-absorption spectroscopy

Abstract

A method is described for the determination of tellurium at nanogram levels in rocks and in other complex materials by the use of flameless atomic-absorption spectroscopy. A very selective organic extraction procedure is applied to avoid matrix interference effects during extraction of Te and the atomization stage in the graphite furnace. Prior separation of iron and other interfering elements is achieved by a combined cupferron—ethyl acetate extraction. Tellerium is extracted from 6 M hydrochloric acid with MIBK and stripped into aqueous medium. Pipetting of the aqueous extract into the graphite furnace gives fairly good instrumental reproducibility (2–3% error). Detection limits of about 10 ppM Te for a 0.5-g sample have been achieved with the medium-performance apparatus used. Results for Te in some geochemical reference materials are reported. Indications are given for the determination of Sb and Mo in the same solutions.