The use of 2-2-thiazolylazo-p-cresol to minimize the interference of Ni and Cu for the bismuth determination in alloys by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry

Thiazolylazo p-cresol (TAC) was studied as a masking agent for the determination of Bi in rich Ni and Cu alloys by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS). In the presence of TAC, Bi/Ni and Bi/Cu ratios up to 1:160 000 and 1:16 000, respectively, were found to be tolerable. No buffering was necessary once the masking agent was effective even in very acid medium. Limits of detection at the low μg g−1 range were reached and the accuracy of the procedure was confirmed by the good concordance between found and certified values in the analysis of certified reference materials (CRM).