Simultaneous determination of manganese, iron and cobalt in copper with a multi-element graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer

A simple method was developed for the determination of trace metals (Mn, Fe and Co) in copper simultaneously using a multi-element graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer SIMAA6000) equipped with a transversely heated graphite atomizer. Copper was dissolved in nitric acid before analysis using a microwave digestion system. Pd(NO3)2 with the special gas (5% H2 in Ar) was used as the chemical modifier. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by the analysis of certified reference copper (CRM#075). The interferences were removed effectively, so that a calibration curve method based on simple aqueous standards could be used. The analyzed values were in the range of 96.6% (Mn) to 113% (Co) of the certified values. The relative standard deviations for the simultaneous determination of Mn (6.5 μg/l), Fe(18 μg/l) and Co(5 μg/l) in solution from copper are 2.4–3.5% and the detection limits were 0.17 μg/g for Mn, 0.50 μg/g for Fe and 0.30 μg/g for Co.