Determination of aluminium phosphide (AlP) in fumigants by ICP OES

A method for determination of aluminium phosphide (AlP) in fumigants by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) is presented. An 8 hour hydrolysis in water achieved complete decomposition of AlP, with the released PH 3 being absorbed in a medium of KMnO 4 /H 2 SO 4 . The solution was treated with NH 2 OH·HCl to reduce the excess MnO 4 − and the PO 4 3− so formed was quantitated as P by ICP OES based on external calibration using the P( i ) 213.618 nm emission line. A detection limit (3s, n = 10) of 0.26 g/100 g AlP and an LOQ (10s, n = 10) of 0.85 g/100 g AlP were realized. Ten commercial samples of fumigants were analysed, providing results in agreement with specifications of ∼55-60 g/100 g and concordant with values generated by a spectrophotometric method, as evidenced by a paired t -test (95% confidence limit). This simple procedure has been adopted by the Paraná Institute of Technology - TECPAR (Curitiba, Brazil). A method for determination of aluminium phosphide (AlP) in fumigants by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) is presented.