Application of masking agents in minimizing interferences from some metal ions in the determination of arsenic by atomic absorption spectrometry with the hydride generation technique

The use of thiosemicarbazide and 1,10-phenanthroline as masking agents to minimize interferences from Cu, Ni, Pt, and Pd in the determination of arsenic by atomic absorption spectrometry in an argon-hydrogen flame by the hydride generation technique is reported. Little interference was observed for Cu, but the strong suppression of the arsenic signal by a 1000-fold (weight) amount of Ni and 100-fold (weight) amount of Pt or Pd was effectively eliminated with these masking agents.