Volume 45, Number 1 (January - February 2000)

Key words:  palladium, platinum, anode slimes, atomic absorption spectrometry

Palladium and platinum contents in anode slimes at the parts per million (ppm) concentration level have been determined by flame absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Procedure of the sample preparation for analysis had to include the stage of matrix separation, or Pd and Pt precipitation, because of low amounts of these elements in the slimes. Selective leaching of the (Ag, Pb) matrix in diluted nitric acid with an addition of tartaric acid enabled separation of about 70% of the sample mass with no loss of both elements. Precipitation of Pd and Pt by the tin(II) chloride solution reduction with the use of the matrix components (Se, Au and Te) as a carrier confirmed the accuracy of the results obtained by previously assumed procedure. The anode slimes analysis was also made at independent laboratoty by the ICP-AES method after Pd and Pt separation by the fire assay, cupellation and dissolution of the dore. Good agreement between the Pd and Pt determination results obtained by various methods has been found. Relative standard deviations for precious metals determination results by the devised procedure were of the order of a few percent.