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Atomicabsorption Spectroscopy Principle: Mr. V. Magendira Mani., Asst. Prof. IC, VNB

Atomic absorption spectroscopy involves converting a sample into atomic vapors, then measuring the absorption of radiation at specific wavelengths. The sample is nebulized and delivered into a flame where it is vaporized and dissociated into neutral atoms. These atoms absorb radiation from a hollow cathode discharge lamp that produces a spectrum of the element being analyzed. The amount of absorption is measured using a detector like a photocell and is used to determine concentrations by comparing to a calibration curve. Atomic absorption spectroscopy is more sensitive and independent of flame temperature compared to flame emission spectroscopy. It is used to quantitatively analyze metals in biological and environmental samples.

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Tukai Kulkarni
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4K views4 pages

Atomicabsorption Spectroscopy Principle: Mr. V. Magendira Mani., Asst. Prof. IC, VNB

Atomic absorption spectroscopy involves converting a sample into atomic vapors, then measuring the absorption of radiation at specific wavelengths. The sample is nebulized and delivered into a flame where it is vaporized and dissociated into neutral atoms. These atoms absorb radiation from a hollow cathode discharge lamp that produces a spectrum of the element being analyzed. The amount of absorption is measured using a detector like a photocell and is used to determine concentrations by comparing to a calibration curve. Atomic absorption spectroscopy is more sensitive and independent of flame temperature compared to flame emission spectroscopy. It is used to quantitatively analyze metals in biological and environmental samples.

Uploaded by

Tukai Kulkarni
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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  • Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

ATOMICABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

PRINCIPLE

Atomic absorption spectroscopy is the study of absorption of radiation (both in UV and


visible region) by neutral atoms in a flame.

Thus in atomic absorption spectroscopy, sample is first converted to atomic vapours and then
absorption of atomic vapours measured at selected wavelength.

This technique is also called as absorption flame photometry, because all the assays (or)
analytical application of atomic absorption involve spraying of sample into the flame.

In atomic absorption spectroscopy, when an aerosol is delivered into a flame, the following
sequence of events takes place in rapid succession.

 Water/solvent is vaporised leaving minute particles of dry sati


 Dry salt is vaporised at high temperature of the flame.
 Then part or all the gaseous molecules are dissociated into neutral atoms
 The neutral atoms in gaseous state absorbs radiation at a specific wavelength

INSTRUMENTATION

Mr. V. Magendira Mani., Asst. Prof. IC, VNB. Page 1


RADIATION SOURSE

In order to produce a beam of radiation with very narrows band width either

 A source of white light with double monochromator

(Or)

 A hallow cathode discharge lamp is used.

The discharge lamps are specific to the element being analysed.

A sample of elements to be excited is held in metal cup cathode and a tungston anode.

Argon carrier gases at a low pressure and at high voltage are used to produce a spectrum of
the element.

NEBULISER/AUTOMISER

Nebuliser is of scent spray type in which air is forced through the capillary tube dipping into
the sample solution, thus the sample are sprayed in to the flame

Mr. V. Magendira Mani., Asst. Prof. IC, VNB. Page 2


FLAME

In order to increase optical path length of sample a series of burners may be used

MONOCHROMATOR

Monochromator is used for more precise work, but for the simple routine analysis
monochromator may be replaced by simple filter

DETECTOR

Photocell or photomultiplier tube are generally used

ADVANTAGE OF AAS OVER FLAME EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY

 Atomic absorption spectroscopy is more sensitive because atoms of a specific element


can absorb only radiation of their own characteristic wavelength.
 Atomic absorption spectroscopy is independent of flame temperature.

DISADVANTAGES

 A separate cathode discharge lamp is required for each element to be determined.


 AAS cannot be used very successfully for estimation of element like Aluminium,
Titanium, Tungsten, Molybdenum , Silicon, and Vanadium etc., because those
elements gives rise to oxides in the flame

Difference between atomic absorption spectroscopy and flame emission spectroscopy

Flame emission spectroscopy Atomic absorption spectroscopy


Relationship between emission and Relationship between absorbance and
concentration is not linear. concentration is linear.

Emission intensity depends upon number of Atomic absorption depends on number of


excited atom and therefore depends on flame unexcited atoms and so absorption intensity
temperature. does not depend on flame temperature.

Here signal completely from emitting atoms. Signal = (intensity of radiation in the absence
of element) - (intensity of radiation in the
presence of element

Mr. V. Magendira Mani., Asst. Prof. IC, VNB. Page 3


APPLICATIONS

Qualitative analysis

 AAS very rarely used for qualitative analysis since different hallow cathode lamps are
needed for each element to be studied

Qualitative analysis

 In AAs the quantitative measurements is based on determination of amount of


radiation absorbed by the sample.
 This measurement gives number of absorbing atoms (N) in the flame. From ‘N’ we
cannot calculate the concentration and the concentration is determined by calibration
curve which are prepared from known concentration

Determination of metals in biological sample

 Determination of Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, and Potassium in blood serum,


Serum samples may be diluted to 10, 20 or even 50 times

Determination of lead in petrol

 Tetra ethyl lead (TEL) and tetra methyl lead (TML) are common anti knocking agent
in petrol.
 Tel and TML in petrol is determined by AAS

ALL IS WELL
VMM

Mr. V. Magendira Mani., Asst. Prof. IC, VNB. Page 4

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