Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric determination of beryllium in aluminium-based alloys and rock samples by introducing beryllium into the plasma as ethylberyllium species

Beryllium in aluminium-based alloys and rock samples was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry at 313.042 nm using in situ alkylation/vaporization as a sample introduction system. The operating conditions were optimized and the interferences of foreign ions, especially aluminium, were eliminated by adding o-phenanthroline as a chemical modifier. The calibration was linear from the 3σ detection limit of 1.1 pg up to 125 pg of beryllium. The R.S.D. at 10 pg beryllium (n = 8) was 5.2%. The content of beryllium in some standard materials and reference samples determined by the proposed method were in good agreement with the certified or reference values.