Determination of chloride at picogram levels by molecular fluorescence in a graphite furnace

Chloride was determined at nanogram levels by adding excess of indium to the sample introduced into a graphite furnace and measuring the laser induced molecular fluorescence of indium chloride. The diatomic molecules of indium chloride were excited by a pulsed dye laser at 267 nm and fluorescence was measured at 359 nm. The effects of various parameters including amount of indium added, furnace thermal conditions and presence of concomitants were also studied. A linear calibration in the range of 0.025-1.25 ng and a detection limit of 17 pg of chloride were obtained under optimum conditions. The analytical usefulness of the method was checked by determining the chloride content in National Institute of Standards and Technology, Standard Reference Materials 1571a and 1571b Orchard Leaves.