Abstract
A method based on solvent extraction with capriquat(trioctyl methylammonium chloride) and subsequent graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry of antimony has been described. Antimony(III) and antimony(V) are quantitatively extracted with 1%(w/v) capriquat in xylene from 0.1M potassium iodide and 0.5M sulfuric acid solution. The presence of chloride, sulfate, nitrate and perchlorate ions does not interfere with the extraction of antimony. A 20 μl aliquot of the organic phase containing antimony was injected into the carbon tube in the graphite furnace atomizer and the optimum conditions of ashing and atomizing were studied. The addition of copper(II) ion and ascorbic acid gave an excellent lineality for the calibration curve and better sensitivity for the determination of antimony. The present method has been applied to the determination of antimony in NBS SRM 1571, Orchard Leaves. The result obtained agreed well with the certified value.
