Determination of Zinc in Steel Samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Using Flow System Removing Iron(III)

An extractive-flow system, to remove iron(III) from a steel sample solution, was developed. In the flow system, the iron(III) was precipitated as hydroxide and then quantitatively extracted into the organic phase containing di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate as extractant. The system was applied to atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) of zinc in a standard steel sample. The result, in which the zinc concentration obtained was consistent with the certified one, showed feasibility of the proposed method as pretreatment system for the AAS of zinc in a steel sample.