Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption

Graphite furnace
atomic absorption
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Graphite furnace atomic absorption

spectroscopy (GFAAS) (also known as
Electrothermal Atomic absorption
spectroscopy (ETAAS)) is a type of
spectrometry that uses a graphite-coated
furnace to vaporize the sample. Briefly, the
technique is based on the fact that free
atoms will absorb light at frequencies or
wavelengths characteristic of the element
of interest (hence the name atomic
absorption spectrometry). Within certain
limits, the amount of light absorbed can be
linearly correlated to the concentration of
analyte present. Free atoms of most
elements can be produced from samples
by the application of high temperatures. In
GFAAS, samples are deposited in a small
graphite or pyrolytic carbon coated
graphite tube, which can then be heated to
vaporize and atomize the analyte. The
atoms absorb ultraviolet or visible light
and make transitions to higher electronic
energy levels. Applying the Beer-Lambert
law directly in AA spectroscopy is difficult
due to variations in the atomization
efficiency from the sample matrix, and
nonuniformity of concentration and path
length of analyte atoms (in graphite
furnace AA). Concentration measurements
are usually determined from a working
curve after calibrating the instrument with
standards of known concentration. The
main advantages of the graphite furnace
comparing to aspiration atomic absorption
are the following:
The detection limits for the graphite

furnace fall in the ppb range for most
elements
Interference problems are minimized
with the development of improved
instrumentation
The graphite furnace can determine
most elements measurable by
aspiration atomic absorption in a wide
variety of matrices.
System Components
GFAA spectrometry instruments have the
following basic features: 1. a source of
light (lamp) that emits resonance line
radiation; 2. an atomization chamber
(graphite tube) in which the sample is
vaporized; 3. a monochromator for
selecting only one of the characteristic
wavelengths (visible or ultraviolet) of the
element of interest; 4. a detector, generally
a photomultiplier tube (light detectors that
are useful in low-intensity applications),
that measures the amount of absorption;
5. a signal processor-computer system
(strip chart recorder, digital display, meter,
or printer).
Mode of Operation
Most currently available GFAAs are fully
controlled from a personal computer that
has Windows-compatible software. The
software easily optimizes run parameters,
such as ramping cycles or calibration
dilutions. Aqueous samples should be
acidified (typically with nitric acid, HNO3)
to a pH of 2.0 or less. GFAAs are more
sensitive than flame atomic absorption
spectrometers, and have a smaller
dynamic range. This makes it necessary to
dilute aqueous samples into the dynamic
range of the specific analyte. GFAAS with
automatic software can also pre-dilute
samples before analysis. After the
instrument has warmed up and been
calibrated, a small aliquot (usually less
than 100 microliters (µL) and typically 20
µL) is placed, either manually or through
an automated sampler, into the opening in
the graphite tube. The sample is vaporized
in the heated graphite tube; the amount of
light energy absorbed in the vapor is
proportional to atomic concentrations.
Analysis of each sample takes from 1 to 5
minutes, and the results for a sample is
the average of triplicate analysis.
Standards …
ASTM E1184-10: "Standard Practice for

Determination of Elements by Graphite
Furnace Atomic Absorption
Spectrometry."
ASTM D3919-08: "Standard Practice for
Measuring Trace Elements in Water by
Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometry."
ASTM D6357-11: "Test Methods for
Determination of Trace Elements in
Coal, Coke, & Combustion Residues
from Coal Utilization Processes by
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic
Emission, Inductively Coupled Plasma
Mass, & Graphite Furnace Atomic
Absorption Spectrometry."
References …
EPA Analytic Technology Encyclopedia

Research Group of Atomic
Spectrometry
See also …
Atomic absorption spectroscopy
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What are the main components of a GFAA spectrometer?

What are the main steps in GFAA analysis?

Graphite furnace

This article includes a list of references, related

Graphite furnace atomic absorption

The detection limits for the graphite

ASTM E1184-10: "Standard Practice for

EPA Analytic Technology Encyclopedia

Atomic absorption spectroscopy

Last edited 8 months ago by 24.232.34.248

Content is available under CC BY-SA 3.0 unless

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