Abstract

A method for the determination of arsenic, bismuth, germanium, antimony and tin, by hydride generation in high purity copper, was developed. L-Cysteine reduces copper interferences so that separation of the copper matrix is not necessary, although standards must be prepared in copper solutions. Standard reference materials from NIST were used to determine the accuracy of the method for the determination of arsenic, bismuth, antimony and tin. Measured values were within two standard deviations of the certified values for the elements in standards containing low tin concentrations. Losses of tin and antimony occurred during sample dissolution for the samples containing high tin concentrations. To test the method for germanium, samples were spiked with germanium prior to dissolution. Good recovery was obtained. Detection limits for arsenic, bismuth, germanium, antimony and tin, in 1000 mg L^-1 solutions of copper, were found to be 0.1, 0.3, 0.05, 0.3 and 0.6 µg L^-1, respectively.