Sample preparation by acid digestion
Table of Contents
A direct determination of trace elements is usually only possible for liquid samples. To enable a quantitative determination in solids, e.g. by spectroscopic technologies, a sample preparation is necessary. In sample preparation, the analyte must be completely, or at least reproducibly, converted into a homogeneously dissolved form. Microwave-assisted acid digestion is a well-established method for this.
Acid digestion procedures are employed for the determination of elements in solids subsequent to sampling and mechanical sample preparation in order to completely transfer the analytes into solution so that they can be introduced into the determination step (e.g., ICP-AES, ICP-MS, AAS or polarography) in liquid form. The goal of every digestion process is therefore the complete solution of the analytes and the complete decomposition of the solid (matrix) while avoiding loss or contamination of the analyte.
- Complete solution of the elements
- Complete decomposition of the matrix
- Avoidance of losses and contaminations
- Reduction of handling and process time
