Spray deposition versus single-drop deposition for calibration of an electrostatic accumulation furnace for electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

Spray deposition, e.g., deposition by electrostatic capture of aerosol droplets (aerodynamic diameter of 1–2 µm) generated from a standard solution of the analyte is proposed for the calibration of the electrostatic accumulation furnace for electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometry. Deposition of the analyte can be achieved with a relative standard deviation of ca. 2%. The spray deposition mode has been found to be insensitive to the ageing and surface conditions of the furnace but not to the nature of the furnace material. The different behaviours observed for different materials are explained in terms of different atom loss mechanisms.