Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) enjoys excellent elemental selectivity and widespread usage with documented methodologies for a wide range of samples and matrices. Replacing the traditional flame atomizer with a graphite furnace (or ‘electrothermal atomizer (ETA)’) adds significantly to the flexibility of AAS and provides significantly lower detection limits. The basic principles of atomic absorption (AA) and the use of a graphite furnace as a means of generating the free atoms that are used in the spectrometric analysis are presented in this article. We must begin by understanding the basic chemical and physical transformations that occur from the moment a sample is placed on the graphite surface until the atomic vapors generated by heating of the graphite furnace diffuse from the tube and the absorption signal terminates. The path leading to the production of free gas‐phase atoms within the measurement volume within the graphite tube is a fascinating tale with many twists depending on sample and matrix. The chemical knowledge of various compounds has led to logical and innovative methodologies for particular analytes in specific matrices. All the efforts are in an attempt to permit interference‐free analyzes using simple aqueous standards in the preparation of calibration curves. Limits of detection in the parts per billion range (picogram, absolute), microsampling capabilities, and methods for solids and slurries analysis have made this a popular analytical technique for ultratrace metal analysis. Additional discussion on latest developments associated to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS), such as the possibility to monitor diatomic molecules for the quantification of nonmetals and the significant contribution posed by the use of high‐resolution (HR) instruments is available.

Toxicity and magnetometry evaluation of the uptake of core-shell maghemite-silica nanoparticles by neuroblastoma cells

“…GFAAS, which consists of the quantification of a specific element by the absorption spectra of its atomic vapour [26], has also been performed to quantify the cellular uptake in our extracts and validate the less common magnetometry approach. To compare those values with the ones obtained by GFAAS, the internalized Fe mass, true0mFe , is required.…”

“…This technique allows the quantification of elements in small quantities of analyte with high sensitivity using an electric graphite-coated furnace to vapourize the sample. Unfortunately, GFAAS also calcinates any organic matrix that the analyte may contain, destroying the cells under study [26].…”