Elizabethtown College Department of Chemistry Last Updated by KK 1/09
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF THE PE AANALYST 300
ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETER
The Perkin-Elmer AAnalyst Model 300 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer is a sophisticated
instrument that allows determination of the concentration of many elements in both organic and
aqueous solutions. The basic principles of atomic absorption spectroscopy should be well understood
before operating this instrument. You must follow basic safety precautions when working with high-
pressure gases and high temperature flames and furnaces, and a thorough understanding of the
instrument is your best protection. If at any time you have reservations about the use of this
instrument, please consult your instructor.
The basic capabilities of the instrument and operating procedures are covered in this document
(assuming aqueous samples and standards); advanced operational methods can be found in the
instrument manuals and publications available in the laboratory (Musser 215).
For a very basic overview of AAS, consult the Perkin-Elmer Publication: Concepts,
Instrumentation, and Techniques in Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
For a more advanced overview of AAS, consult CH 9, “Atomic Absorption and Atomic
Fluorescence Spectroscopy” in Principles of Instrumental Analysis, 6
th
Ed. by Skoog, Holler, and
Crouch
For specific sample methods, consult the Perkin-Elmer Manuals:
o Analytical Methods for Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
o Analytical Techniques for Graphite Furnace AAS
o Graphite Furnace AAS, A Source Book
For software related applications, consult the Perkin-Elmer Manual: AA Winlab Software Guide
for Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
For hardware related applications, consult the Perkin-Elmer Manual:
o AAnalyst 100/300 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer Hardware Guide for Atomic Absorption
Spectroscopy
o HGA-800 Graphite Furnace System including the AS-72 Autosampler Hardware Guide
For questions related to the water circulator, consult the Lauda/Brinkman Manual: Operating
Instructions #132: Lauda/Brinkman Circulator, Model K-2/R, Cat. No. 27 50 150-8 & Model
Super K-2/R Cat. No. 27 50 400-1
BASIC OPERATING PROCEDURES
1. Prepare your samples according to methods appropriate for both the metal ion you wish to study
and for the sample matrix from which you wish to extract the metal ion. Note the final analysis
medium used—either organic solvent or aqueous solution. Consult the literature and/or the
methods manuals for that particular metal to find the recommended instrumental parameters.
2. Prepare a blank and a set of standards within the concentration ranges appropriate for the method
you have chosen. Note that the matrix for the standards must be identical to the matrix used in
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