Precipitation of major constituents for trace preconcentration : Potential and problems†

Abstract

The success of the separation of trace components by pre- cipitation of the matrix depends not only on the quantitatively definable properties of the matrix and the trace constituents, but also on many marginal conditions. These produce effects which cannot as a rule be described numerically, and which impede the development of general rules for the choice of appropriate working parameters. In this report an attempt is made to derive simple rules for trace enrichment. The application of the rules is illustrated with examples from the literature. A compilation of publications is tabulated dealing with the application of matrix precipitation to the simultaneous separation of several elements from pure metals. © 1989 IUPAC