Abstract
The atomization behavior of Fe, Co and Ni on electrothermally heated metal-strip atomizers was studied. Argon or hydrogen was used as a purge gas. The heating metals (W, Mo and Ta) showed different effects regarding atomic absorption peak profiles. The Ta strip surface was covered with Ta oxide, which did not decompose at temperatures below 2000°C. As a result, tailing of signal peaks was caused. Under a hydrogen atmosphere, the signal peaks were mostly sharpened due to reductive reactions between the analyte and hydrogen, but exceptionally broadened for Co and Ni with a W-strip atomizer. It was postulated that a solid solution was formed between the analyte atoms and the metal surface.
