Continuous Determination of Copper, Lead and Zinc in Ore Samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry with Polyethylene Glycol as a Rapid Clarifier

Based on the characteristics of water solubility and high polymerization of polyethylene glycol, a method for the continuous determination of copper, lead and zinc in ore samples by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after rapid clarification of the testing solution has been developed. The samples are completely dissolved with HCl-HNO3-HClO4. In the presence of 3 mL of polyethylene glycol, the testing solution is rapidly clarified within 2.5 h. The recoveries of the method for the elements are 86.3％~106.0% with precision of less than 5%RSD (n=5). The method has been applied to the determination of copper, lead and zinc in National Standard Reference rock samples and the results are in agreement with certified values.