Aspects of flow injection sample introduction for atomic absorption spectrometry

The various factors affecting the optimum performance of an atomic absorption spectrometer with flow injection techniques &re described. These include the study of dispersion processes in the flowing stream by manipulation of the carrier tube dimensions (diameter and length), the flow rate, the volume of sample and physical properties of the solution such as viscosity, chemical nature and level of dissolved solids. Investigation of the peak shape produced by FIA-MS techniques leads to a simple exponential model proposed to account for the absorbance–time behaviour. By determining the volume of the hypothetical mixing chamber, the model can be used for calibration purposes and prediction of some of the experimental parameters. [Continues.]