DETERMINATION OF PLATINUM METALS AND GOLD BY OPTICAL EMISSION SPECTROMETRY WITH A RADIOFREQUENCY INDUCTIVELY-COUPLED ARGON PLASMA SOURCE

Optimum operating conditions in a 2-kW inductively-coupled argon plasma source for the detection of the elements platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, osmium and gold have been established. Detection limits obtained for aqueous solutions introduced into the plasma by pneumatic nebulization range from 1.5 ppb (Rh) to 34 ppb (Ir). No interelement effects caused by chemical interference have been observed between the elements investigated or from a number of base metals; several spectral interferences were observed with the spectrometer employed. The effect of the presence of mineral acids on the nebulization of sample solutions is reported. © 1979.