ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY

CONTENTS
 Introduction Of AAS ( ATOMIC ABSORPTION OF
SPECTROSCOPY )
 Principle Of AAS
 Instrumentation Of AAS
 Interference Of AAS
 Applications
 Advantage And Disadvantage Of AAS
 References
 INTRODUCTION OF AAS
 It is an absorption spectroscopy which is basically used in detection
of metals and metalloids in samples.
 This technique is used for quantitative determination of trace metals
in liquids.
 It is very reliable and simple to use.
 It also measures the concentration of metals in the sample.
 Eg. Detection of ca2+ , mg2+, na+, & K+ ions in blood serum
mg2+ ions in tap water.
 Principle of AAS
 When a liquid samples is introduced into AAS, firstly it get
convert into free atoms by using atomizer & nebulizer and by
using flames (burner).
 Then, these free neutral atoms absorb the radiation from the
source and get excited state from ground state to excited state.
 Now, these neutral atoms absorb radiation of specific
wavelength, which are different or unique for different

different element.
Instrumentation of AAS
 The main components are-
1) Radiation source/light source
2) chopper
3) Sample cell+Atomiser/Burner
4) Monochromator
5) Detectors
6) Amplifier
7) Read out devices
1. Radiation source- it provides the radiation of desired frequency to the
sample.eg; hollow cathod lamp- mostly used

It contain a element in a hollow cup and emit radiation of that element.

In case of Na, it emit 589nm wavelength frequency.

2. Chopper – it is used to modulate the intensity of a light beam.

3. Sample cell+ Atomizer / nebulizer +Burner – sample cell

contain sample in liquid form which contain unknown metallic salt.

Atomiser/Nebulizer converts the sample liquid into gaseous state in fine

droplets of free neutral atom, then sprayed into flame.

Burner provides the flame into system.

4. Monochromators- Convert polychromatic light into
monochromatic and desired frequency.
Prism nd grating

5. Detectors- It is a device used to measure the intensity of light,

generate signals-
- Mostly used detectors are photomultiplier tube(pmt) and also used
phototube.

6. Amplifier- they amplie (measures the signals) the signal received

from detectors.

7. Read out devices- chart recorders and digital read out devices are
used.
 Interference of AAS
 Absorption of radiations by analyte atoms in sample is either
higher or lower than the equivalent standard(actual value) is known
as interference.
 Two types of interference affects the result-
 Non spectral interference
a) Chemical
b) Ionization
c) matrix

 Spectral interference
 Applications of AAS
 It is an important methods used in analysis of metals.
 Used in analytical chemistry, mineralogy, water
supplies,metallurgy and soil analysis etc.
 Quantitative analysis for identify the metals.
 Quantitative analysis by measuring the amount of radiation
absorbed by the sample.
 Detection of metals in food industry, blood serum, edible ions,
tap water , petrol etc.
ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE OF AAS

ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE

 Easy to use  A resonance line source is

 Fast and simple working required for each element to
 Doesn’t need metals be determined
separation
 Good accuracy
 Widely used