ANALYSIS OF IMPURITIES IN HIGH-PURITY COPPER BY ZEEMAN GRAPHITE-FURNACE AAS

Impurities in high-purity copper were detected by Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The proposed analytical method greatly reduces the sample preparation time and avoids separation of the analyte from the matrix. The elements Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, and Zn, commonly present at trace levels, were determined. The detection limits of these elements range from 0.6 ng/g for Cd to 160 ng/g for Sb. To test the accuracy of this procedure, one NBS high-purity electrolytic copper was analyzed. Results obtained are in good agreement with certified values.