Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric determination of arsenic, antimony, tin, bismuth, selenium and tellurium in leads and refined coppers

Abstract

Methods were developed for the determination of As, Sb, Sn, Bi, Se and Te in leads and refined coppers using both direct sample solutions and the hydride generation technique. For hydride generation in coppers, prior separation of the matrix was necessary owing to the inhibiting effect of copper on hydride formation. For leads, it is possible to generate hydrides for As, Sb, Bi and Se directly from test solutions. Tin and Te require prior separation of the matrix in order to avoid lead precipitation in the hydrochloric medium suitable for the generation of the tin hydride in the former instance and the inhibition produced by lead in the latter. The dissolution of samples, separation processes, sample treatment, choice of analytical lines and measurable concentration levels were investigated.