Direct Speciation Analysis of Sb(III) and Sb(V) Based on Their Different Sensitivities for GFAAS

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a temptative work dealing with the possibilities of using GFAAS on speciation analysis purposes of antimony species—namely, Sb(III) and Sb(V)—in presence of three different complexing reagents (DDC, APDC and TTA). When using TTA, both antimony species can be analyzed setting 800 and 1700 to 1800°C as pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, respectively. However, the great differences detected between the values of the signals recorded for Sb(V) and for Sb(III) must be highlighted. Such differences suggest dissimilar sensitivities for both species, that are applied on speciation analysis purposes.

KEYWORDS:

• antimony
• atomic absorption
• complex formation
• sensitivity
• speciation analysis

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The financial support by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (project code CYSK5NPG) and the collaboration of the Analytical Chemistry Research Group of the University of Santiago de Compostela in Lugo are acknowledged, as well as the advice of Prof. Dr. Miguel de la Guardia in the preparation of the manuscript.

Notes

^a Without any complexing agent.

^b Without HNO₃ as a chemical modifier.