Correlation between flame geometry and the absorbance of some elements in the presence of organic solvents.

The correlation between the changes in flame geometry and the sensitivity of atomic-absorption determination of silver, copper, iron and lead in the presence of various solvents (water, ethanol, n-propanol, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate and acetone) has been investigated. The flame geometry was studied by the Schlieren technique. Organic solvents, allowing a greater rate of introduction of solution, enable a greater sensitivity to be achieved. However, owing to the expansion of the reaction zone, the increase in sensitivity is not as great as expected from the amount of sample introduced into the flame.