Gold determination in geological samples by chelate vapor generation at room temperature coupled with atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A simple, selective procedure was proposed for the routine determination of trace amounts of gold in geological samples by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS). Gold can be determined by Che-VG-AFS combinedwith PUF separation and NaF masking interference ions. A relatively high transport efficiency of gold was obtained by the GLS with 15-40 μm frit pores and a stable signal plateau at a relatively wide acidity range ensured that the volatile gold species accurately determined. Compared with other atomic spectrometric techniques(GFAAS, ICP-OES/MS) for gold analysis, the detection limit of proposed method is comparable to ICP-OES, but it are poorer in comparison with GFAAS and ICP-MS. However, the method has a high transport efficiency of volatile species and provides efficient separation of analyte from matrix, thereby reducing spectral interferences. In addition, Na-DDTC and AFS instrument can be obtained at very low cost, the proposed method will be more convenient and more suitable for use in a small-scale laboratory. The preliminary study suggested that volatile gold species is likely to be DDTC chelate of gold. In the near future, except expanding the scope of chelating agents and the elements that can be detected, and improvements to the gas-liquid separator and a detailed mechanistic study should be further conducted.