On-line preconcentration with activated carbon for microwave plasma torch atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

This paper presents a method whereby trace elements are adsorbed in NH 4ClNH 3 medium on activated carbon and then determined by microwave plasma torch atomic emission spectrometry (MPT-AES). The working conditions (including microwave forward power, gas flow rate, NH 3NH 4Cl concentration in the sample solution, HCl concentration in the eluant, sample introduction rate and preconcentration time) were investigated in detail. The effects of concomitant ions were studied. The experimental results for such analytes as Pb, Mn, Cd, Cu and Fe indicate that the procedure can eliminate fundamentally the interferences caused by alkali and alkaline earth metal elements and the application of it to the determination of iron in industrial silicon and tap water samples is successful.