[Trace Analysis of Lead in Copper Gluconate by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after Separation by Co-Precipitation...

In order to determine trace amounts of lead in copper gluconate by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), the authors investigated a separation and pre-concentration procedure using a co-precipitation technique with bismuth. After ashing 2.0 g of the sample by means of a dry process, the ash was dissolved in (1→100) nitric acid and 75 μg of bismuth was added. Lead was co-precipitated by using an ammonium solution controlled to pH 9.5-10.5. The precipitate was left at room temperature for over 15 minutes to age, and then washed with a (3→100) ammonium solution three times. The precipitate was dissolved in (1→100) nitric acid and then analyzed by AAS. The quantification limit of this method was 0.5 mg/kg, and the trueness, repeatability and intermediate precision were 99.6%, 4.2% and 4.2% at the spiked concentration of 0.5 mg/kg, and 94.4%, 2.8% and 4.0% at the spiked concentration of 5.0 mg/kg, respectively. Thus, the present method for trace analysis of lead in copper gluconate was validated.