Mechanisms of transition metal interferences in hydride generation atomic-absorption spectrometry. Part 1. Influence of cobalt, copper, iron and nickel on selenium determination

Abstract

Transition metal interferences in the determination of selenium using the hydride generation AAS technique were investigated in a system in which the selenium hydride is generated in pure acid solution and comes into contact with the metal ions only in a second flask. All investigated elements interfere in the ionic form with selenium when they are present in sufficiently high concentrations. Whenever a precipitation of the metallic species occurs, however, capture and decomposition of the selenium hydride by the finely dispersed metal appear to be the predominant mechanism of interference. In addition, this solid-gas reaction occurs typically at considerably lower interferent concentrations than the liquid-gas reaction of the ionic species. A substantial increase in the range of interference-free determination of selenium can be achieved by increasing the acid concentration of the solution for measurement because of the increased solubility of the reduced metal in the strong acid.