Interference Effect of Chloride on the Determination of Beryllium by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with a Graphite Furnace

Abstract

In the determination of beryllium with a graphite furnace atomizer, the suppression effects of coexisting chlorides on beryllium atomic absorption were examined under various analytical conditions. Two mechanisms for the chloride interference are proposed on the basis of the interaction between beryllium and the chlorides in the solutions and in the processes of drying and ashing. The first interference occurs with the chloride salts remaining at the atomization step. This interference can be eliminated by vaporizing the chlorides or converting them to other types of compounds such as oxides before the atomization step. The second arises from The coordination of the chlorides to beryllium, which can be prevented by addition of the masking reagents. Ammonium salt of EDTA is suitable as an additive for such a purpose because it is able to coordinate to both beryllium and coexisting cations. The addition of EDTA was successfully applied to the determination of beryllium in alloys based on copper or aluminium.