Determination of chromium (III) using a homogenous mixture of water–ethanol–methylisobutylketone solvents

The use of organic solvents to increase metal ion determination sensitivity by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with flame is quite common. The most employed organic solvent is 4-methyl-2-pentanona (methylisobutylketone, MIBK) which optimizes sample vaporization and combustion. In this work, we present the use of a homogeneous mixture of water–ethanol—MIBK solvents (1:14:10 v/v, respectively), named the single-phase solution instead of employing pure organic solvents to determine chromium (III) ions by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with flame. The analytical calibration curve in single-phase solution evaluated up to 8 μg ml−1 was linear and was described as Abs=0.0048 CCr(III)–0.0010 (r2=0.9998). Stability in the measurement as well as an increase in sensitivity more than twice as high when compared to determinations exclusively made in aqueous solutions were observed. The exactness of the determinations was evaluated with the same steel standards.