Ultratrace determination of tin by hydride generation in-atomizer trapping atomic absorption spectrometry

•In-atomizer trapping HG-AAS was optimized for Sn.•A compact quartz trap-and-atomizer device was employed.•Generation, preconcentration and atomization steps were investigated in detail.•Hundred percent preconcentration efficiency for tin was reached.•Routine analytical method was developed for Sn determination (LOD of 0.03 ng mL−1 Sn).

A quartz multiatomizer with its inlet arm modified to serve as a trap (trap-and-atomizer device) was employed to trap tin hydride and subsequently to volatilize collected analyte species with atomic absorption spectrometric detection. Generation, atomization and preconcentration conditions were optimized and analytical figures of merit of both on-line atomization as well as preconcentration modes were quantified. Preconcentration efficiency of 95 ± 5% was found. The detection limits reached were 0.029 and 0.14 ng mL−1 Sn, respectively, for 120 s preconcentration period and on-line atomization mode without any preconcentration. The interference extent of other hydride forming elements (As, Se, Sb and Bi) on tin determination was found negligible in both modes of operation. The applicability of the developed preconcentration method was verified by Sn determination in a certified reference material as well as by analysis of real samples.

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