Determination of fluoride ion in aqueous samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with tungsten boat furnace vaporiser

A procedure for the determination of fluoride ion in aqueous solution was i nvestigated. By using a tungsten boat furnace (TBF) vaporiser system, a mic ro-volume of aqueous sample solution was converted into atomic and/or molec ular vapour, and the resulting vapour was transported to the plasma. By pla cing a small amount of tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution in the TBF as chemical modifier prior to analysis, the loss of fluorine, which would occ ur during the drying stage, was suppressed. With this system, the detection limit (3 sigma) of 6.39 mu g of the aqueous fluoride ion was achieved. The relative standard deviation for ten replicate determinations was 5.0% for 100 mu g of the fluoride ion. The calibration graph was linear in the teste d range of up to 200 mu g of the fluoride ion. Analytical results of severa l leachings out of rubber samples made of fluorocarbon polymer are given.