Question

Define the following terms: (a) releasing agent, (b) protective agent, (c) ionization suppressor, (d) atomization, (e) pressure broadening, (f) hollow-cathode lamp, (g) sputtering, (h) self-absorption, (i) spectral interference, (j) chemical interference, (k) radiation buffer, (l) solute volatilization interference

Short answer

(a)Cations that interact with the analyte and remove chemical interferences are referred to as releasing agents.

(b) In Atomic absorption spectroscopy, protective agents are chemicals that generate stable volatile species and overcome interference.

(c) The ionization suppressor allows for greater electron concentration to be introduced, which improves sensitivity.

(d)Atomization is the process of converting samples to atoms.

(e)Pressure broadening is the process by which the collision of absorbing or emitting species with other ions generates a broadening of spectral lines compared to normal ones.

(f)A hollow cathode tube is a type of glass tube that is frequently used in atomic absorption studies.

(g)Sputtering is the process of forming atomic clouds in a hollow cathode lamp.

(h)The absorbing back of emitted radiation by non-excited atoms in the lamp is referred to as self-absorption.

(i)The phenomenon of spectral interference is the overlapping of an analyte's absorption line by another interfering species.

(j)Chemical interference is defined as a change in absorption properties or an analyte's emission caused by chemical processes such as atomization.

(k)The interfering substance provided in excess to avoid spectral interferences is known as a radiation buffer.

(l)Solute-volatilization interference occurs when the rate of volatilization of aerosol particles changes due to the lack or presence of a concomitant.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) Step1. Given information

Releasing agent

Part (a) Step2. Atomic absorption spectroscopy

Atomic absorption spectroscopy is a method of quantitatively detecting chemical elements by employing light absorption by free metallic ions.

Part(a) Step3.Releasing agent

Some chemicals generate chemical interferences in atomic absorption spectroscopy. To remove these interferences, releasing agents are used. These are cations that preferentially react with interferents and prevent chemical interferences via interactions with the analyte.

Strontium is an example of a releasing agent that is utilized in calcium determination because it preferentially reacts with phosphate.

Part(b) Step1. Protective Agent

Protective agents are chemicals that, when used in atomic absorption spectroscopy, react with the analytes to generate stable volatile species, thereby eliminating interference from other compounds.

EDTA is an example of a protective agent that aids in the elimination of aluminum, silicon, sulfate, and phosphate interference in calcium determination.

Part(c) Step1. ionization suppressor 

Ionization of metal ions occurs during AAS or Atomic emission spectrometry when analyte samples are heated to high temperatures, affecting the strength of the atomic emission or absorption lines. The large concentration of electrons added by the ionization suppressor boosts the instrument's sensitivity.

Part(d) Step1. Atomization 

Atomization is the process of vaporizing samples, mixing them with fuel, and then placing them in a flame where they vaporize and breakdown into atoms due to the heat. In other terms, atomization is the process through which samples are turned to atoms.

Part(e) Step 1. Pressure broadening

Collision occurs in atomic absorption spectroscopy, AAS or AES, between the absorbing or emitting species and other ions or atoms. This causes pressure broadening or collision broadening to rise. The resulting spectral lines are two to three times wider than the regular recorded ones. This entire process is known as pressure broadening.

Part(f) Step1. hollow-cathode lamp 

A hollow cathode tube is a glass tube with a metal cathode and a tungsten anode that is filled with inert gas. This is commonly utilized in atomic absorption measurements because when large currents are passed, some of the metal atoms become excited and radiate before returning to their ground state.

Part(g) Step1. Sputtering

As metal atoms are displaced from the cathode by gaseous cations, atomic clouds form in a hollow cathode lamp. Sputtering is the name given to this process.

Part(h) Step1. Self-absorption

The radiation generated by the excited atoms in the hollow cathode lamp is absorbed by the non-excited atoms in the lamp. Self-absorption is the term for this phenomenon.

Part(i) Step1. spectral interference 

The occurrence in which an analyte's emission line or absorption line is closer to or overlaps with another interfering species is referred to as spectral interference.

Part(j) Step1. chemical interference 

The chemical process of atomization generates significant changes in the emission and absorption characteristics of an analyte. This is known as chemical interference.

Part(k) Step1. Radiation buffer

A radiation buffer is a material that, when introduced in large amounts to a sample or standard, avoids spectrum interferences. To operate as a radiation buffer, the interfering chemical must be supplied in large quantities.

Part(l) Step1. solute volatilization interference 

When the analyte volatilization is incomplete in the presence or absence of a concomitant, the interference caused by changes in the dry aerosol particle volatilization rate is referred to as Solute volatilization interference.