Use of complexing ligands in the determination of antimony and tin by atomic-absorption spectrometry

Abstract

The atomic-absorption spectrophotometric determination of antimony is best achieved in the presence of either an ammonium fluoride, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid mixture, or one of the following complexing agents: tartaric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, 2-mercaptopropanoic acid. The interference of the 29 metals tested is least in the ammonium fluoride-hydrochloric acid-nitric acid mixture and is similar in tartaric acid, citric acid and 2-mercaptopropanoic acid media. However, the interference is pronounced in oxalic acid. Tin can be determined if any of the complexing agents or 6M hydrochloric acid is present.