Indium determination in different environmental materials by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Amberlite XAD-2 coated with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol

Methods were developed for indium (In) determination in complex ores by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry using matrix modification after its separation with Amberlite XAD-2 coated with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN). Palladium–magnesium, nickel, and zinc nitrates were used as matrix modifiers and were compared in terms of maximum pyrolysis temperature, sensitivity and background signal. They have enhanced the absorption signals for indium, respectively eliminating the matrix interferences. The standard additions method was applied. The relative standard deviations for six replicate determinations were in the range 0.3–4.0% for indium in different ores samples for indium concentrations 7.6–209 μg g−1. The recommended method was applied to the indium determination in real samples. The data obtained by this method were in good agreement with those obtained by ICP-AES.