Slurry Sampling Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for the Analysis of Aluminum-Based Ceramic Powders

Abstract

A slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry method for the determination of Ca, Cr, Cu, K, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and Zn in aluminum oxide and aluminum nitride powders is described. For each analyte, the experimental conditions including atomization temperature, internal gas flow during atomization, and pyrolytic re-coating of the graphite tube were optimized with respect to the sensitivity and background absorption. Quantification was performed by means of calibration curves recorded with the use of aqueous standards. The achievable limits of detection are between 5 ng/g (K) and 130 ng/g (Fe). The accuracy was checked by comparison of the results with those obtained by instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis and other methods.