Determination of bromine by high resolution molecular absorption of strontium mono bromide generated in a graphite furnace

The bromine concentration was determined by means of molecular absorption of strontium monobromide (SrBr) generated in the gas phase of the vaporizer of a high-resolution continuum source electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer. For this purpose, the wine and drug samples were introduced into the graphite furnace together with Sr and the molecular absorption of SrBr at 651.0581 nm was measured. The effects of SrBr wavelength, graphite furnace program, and the amount of Sr on the accuracy, linearity and sensitivity were investigated and the experimental parameters were optimized. All quantifications were performed in zirconium coated tubes. The limit of detection and the characteristic mass for the method were 1.6 ng and 3.0 ng of Br, respectively. In order to check the risk of non-spectral interference, all quantifications were performed by both standard addition and external calibration techniques. In general, the results were not significantly different. Finally, the bromine was determined in wines and various drug samples obtained from markets and drugstores. The bromine quantity in the drug samples was in agreement with those given by the producers.