Author Description

This report describes an investigation of the measurement, by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry and electrothermal atomization, of arsenic, antimony, bismuth, selenium, and tellurium. Instrumental parameters and other factors that could affect the precision and sensitivity of the method, eg, the acid medium, were examined and optimized. Although the precision and sensitivity were satisfactory for all the elements except selenium, considerable interference was encountered from many of the associated elements likely to be present in typical sample materials. This interference could not be compensated for by the method of standard additions because the resulting calibrations were non-linear. Some form of separation of the hydride-forming elements will therefore have to be considered before they can be determined successfully in complex materials by electrothermal atomization.