HG-ICP-AES Determination of Trace Amounts of Arsenic, Antimony and Bismuth in Steel

Sample of steel was digested with mixed acid of HCl-HNO3 (3+1) and fumed with HClO4, and the contents of As, Sb and Bi in the solution obtained were determined by HG-ICP-AES. Conditions of acidity of sample solution and concentration of KBH4 necessary for the hydride generation, as well as the chemical interference of co-existing elements to the determination of the 3 elements were studied and optimized. Wavelengths of 189.042, 217.58 and 223.06 nm were selected as analytical spectral lines for the determination of As, Sb and Bi respectively. Values of detection limits (3s/k) found were 0.48, 3.5, 2.0 μg·L-1. The proposed method was used in the determination of the 3 elements in 2 standard samples (GSBH40064-93 and BH4265), and the results obtained was in conformity with the certified values.