Ultratrace Metals Analysis by Electrothermal Atomization Atomic Absorption — Present Technology and Potential Developments

Abstract

The history of electrothermal atomization atomic absorption (ETAA) is briefly reviewed for background. Some principles of ETAA and its differences from more traditional flame AA are discussed to explain the advantages of this technique for ultratrace metals analysis. The present status of ETAA is also reviewed — ETAA is now routinely used for certain trace metals in a wide variety of samples. Some refractory elements (examples are V, Mo, Ba) are now readily analyzed, and there area growing number of applications to solid samples and even indirect analysis of non-metallics. Some recent advances in temperature and power control methods have greatly improved sensitivity and repeatability of analytical conditions. Likely future developments of ETAA are in enhanced sensitivity, applicability to an ever-wider variety of samples, and multielement determinations. Some of the author’s research on substrate effects, fill gas effects, and speciation is discussed where applicable to the future of ETAA.