TABLE OF CONTENTS Different techniques have evolved for trace metal analysis of polymers. Generally speaking, the techniques come under two broad headings:
Destructive techniques: these are techniques in which the sample is decomposed by a reagent and then the concentration of the element in the aqueous extract determined by a physical technique such as atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS; Section 11.1.1), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS; Section 11.1.2), cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS; Section 11.1.4), Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry (ZAAS; Section 11.1.5), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES; Sections 11.1.6 and 11.1.8), visible spectrometry (Section 11.1.13), or polarographic or anodic scanning voltammetric techniques (Section 11.1.14).
Non-destructive techniques: these include techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF; Section 11.2.1) and neutron activation analysis (NAA; Section 11.2.2), in which the sample is not destroyed during analysis.
Detection limits achievable by various atomic spectroscopy techniques are reviewed in Table 11.1.
| Element | Wavelength (nm) | AAS Lamp current (mA) | Flame AAS | Furnace AAS (IL755 CTFAtomiser) | ICP | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAS | ICP | Sensitivity [2] ( g/l) | Detection limit ( g/l) | Sensitivity [2] | ( g/l) | Detection limit (ug/l) | Detection limit (ug/l) | ||
| Aluminium (Al) [1] | 309.3 | 396.15 | 8 | 400 | 25 | 4.0 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 10 |
| Antimony (Sb) | 217.6 | 206.83 | 10 | 200 | 40 | 8.0 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 40 |
| Arsenic (As) | 193.7 |
