ADVANTAGESAccuracy.
Atomic absorption spectroscope is a great way of producingaccurate results, with a rate of 0.5-5%, the result can be even better rate ifappropriate standards are used. Sensitivity. AAS is a sensitive methodof detection, it can measure down to parts per billion of a gram (µg dm–3 ) ina sample. As such, it has many uses in different areas of chemistry. For example, in medicine, it can be usedto detect trace toxin levels of atmosphere or medication. Similarly, inpharmaceuticals, manufacturing processes, minute quantities of a catalyst usedin the process (usually a metal) are sometimes present in the final product, byusing AAS the amount of catalyst present can be determined. In industry, AAS isused to check that the major element are present and the toxic impurities arelower than specified.
Cost AAS uses less argon than other methods, thusits running costs are often lower compare to other methods. Accessibility.Since the process relying upon radiation and lightabsorption, it can reach previously inaccessible places. For example, minerscan now use AAS to determine if a rock contains enough elements of gold orother precious metals to be worthwhile mining. DISADVANTAGESLack of VersatilitySample must be in solution or at least volatile. Thisis because the substances have to be vaporised before it can be analysed.
Liquids lend themselves to this much more than solids. Besides, the techniquethat allow for solid-substance testing can not be used on non-metals. Thistechnique has also not proved very successful for the estimation of elementslike V, Si, Mo, Ti and A1 because these elements give oxides in the flame. Low precisionOther chemicals that are found in the sample or in thesurrounding atmosphere can have an interfering and distorting effect on theresults of the study. WeaknessIt is a destructiveanalysis method and therefore scarce sample should be analysed by anon-destructive method such as raman. Due to the sample preparation is timeconsuming, it cannot give information as detailed as other techniques such as NuclearMagnetic Resonance (NMR). It is also qualitative rather than quantitative andthere are lots of compounds which are not infrared (IR) active and thereforecannot be detected.
