DETERMINATION OF LOW-LEVELS OF PLATINUM-GROUP METALS - NEW SOLUTIONS

A new rapid sample preparation scheme for the determination of low lev els of platinum metals (PMs) has been proposed. The technique includes , microwave dissolution of samples followed by dynamic sorption precon centration of the PMs on a polystyrene based sorbent containing diethy lenetriamine groups. Non-equilibrium dynamic conditions allowed simult aneously and nearly quantitative recovery of all the PMs in the presen ce of a 10(6)-10(7) excess of matrix elements. Metals were determined in slurries of concentrates by Zeeman electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. A good agreement between the results obtained and the c ertified values was demonstrated. The relative standard deviation is g enerally 0.05. Detection limits obtained were 10(-6)-10(-7)%.