Catalytic processes in graphite furnaces for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The chemical processes in graphite furnaces used for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) are discussed from the viewpoint of catalysis. The main attention is given to consideration of the processes which occur in the presence of platinum metal compounds and transition metal carbides. It is shown that both these groups of chemical modifiers accelerate either the processes of reduction of inorganic compounds or the thermal destruction of organoelement compounds and volatile hydrides in the graphite furnace. It is assumed that the similarities in the action of platinum metal compounds and transition metal carbides are based on the resemblance of their catalytic properties. The approach proposed may be used both for the improvement of already known chemical modifiers and for the creation of new ones. In general, adoption of the methods and concepts widely applied in catalysis for fundamental investigations of processes in graphite furnaces appears to be rather useful.