On Atomization of Calcium, Magnesium and Antimony from ThO₂ Matrix by Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Techniques

ABSTRACT

Atomic Absorption Spectrometric methods (AAS) developed for the direct determination of Ca and Mg using flame-AAS technique have linear ranges of 0.1-2.0 μg/ml and 0.025-0.4 μg/ml with thorium concentrations optimized at 2.5 and 0.5 mg/ml, respectively, while the analytical range obtained for Sb using electrothermal-AAS technique is 0.002-0.1 μg/ml with Th sample aliquot of 2.5 mg/ml. The precision of determinations for both the techniques as evaluated from analyses of synthetic samples is 5% RSD or better. Probable mechanism for atom formation for Sb has been discussed in detail. In addition, role of chemical modifiers in enhancing the analyte signal has also been discussed.

Keywords::

• AAS
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Antimony
• Thorium Oxide Matrix
• Atomization mechanism