ATO M I C A B S O R P T I O N

technical note

AAnalyst™ 800 detection limits –

chromium data

• Instrument Detection Limits (IDL) • All solutions, reagents, etc.,

are often quoted as a measure of THGA Furnace Program prepared under ultra-trace
instrument performance. Temp Ramp Hold Read Flow contamination-free laboratory
• However, a simple number, x pg, °C s s mL/min conditions. All sample vessels,
etc., does not provide all the pipets, etc., acid-washed (24-hr
110 1 30 250 soak in 10% v/v ultrapure HNO3)
information. This short technical
note provides support data for the 130 15 30 250 and rinsed with distilled and
Cr IDL produced on an AAnalyst deionized water before use. All
1000 10 20 250 ultrapure acids further treated by
800 system. It includes the
experimental details, typical 2400 0 5 X 0 sub-boiling distillation.
graphite furnace atomic absorption
2500 1 6 250
signals and some of the data used
to calculate the IDL, precision at
low concentrations and the
characteristic mass data. Sufficient Analytical Signals
information is provided to allow
an experienced user to repeat these
Cr Blank Signal
measurements. (20 µL of 0.2% v/v HNO3)
• This information allows a com- Integrated absorbance data:
plete interpretation of the IDL and 0.0005, 0.0005, 0.0005, 0.0003,
evaluation of the performance of 0.0004, 0.0003, 0.0003, 0.0003,
the AAnalyst 800 system. 0.0003, 0.0004, 0.0003

Mean: 0.0004
SD: 0.00008
Instrument Conditions
3 x SD x mo 3 x 0.00008 x 3.5 pg
Lamp HCL IDL = =
0.0044 0.0044
Wavelength 357.9 nm = 0.19 pg
Slit 0.7 nm
Low Concentration Cr Signal
BOC 2.0 s (20 µL of 0.2 µg L-1 = 4 pg Cr)
Read 5.0 s Integrated absorbance data:
Graphite Tube End-capped THGA 0.0043, 0.0044, 0.0044, 0.0044,
0.0043, 0.0045, 0.0045, 0.0044,
Volume 20 µL 0.0044, 0.0045, 0.0045
Modifier none Mean: 0.0044
Char. Mass 3.5 pg SD: 0.00008
RSD: 1.8%

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 Cr Signal
(20 µL of 2 µg L-1 = 40 pg of Cr)
Integrated absorbance data:
0.0495, 0.0491, 0.0496, 0.0504, 0.0504,
0.0504, 0.0502, 0.0504, 0.0508, 0.0509,
0.0508

Mean: 0.0502
SD: 0.00058
RSD: 1.2%

Comments
• End-capped tube improves sensitivity, characteristic mass 3.5 pg vs. 5 pg
for standard THGA tubes.
• The question is, ‘At what concentration can I still perform reliable measure-
ments?’ The low concentration signal, 0.2 µg L-1, shows that measurements
at this level are easily achieved with the AAnalyst 800.
• Solution detection limit for a 50-µL sample volume = 0.004 µg L-1.
• Full Stabilized Temperature Platform Furnace (STPF) performance
achieved for a refractory element such as Cr. Platform atomization
at 2400°C with no tailing.

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