4. Conclusion
The present work proves that the HR-CS FAAS can be employed
for the determination of fluorine in toothpaste samples by measuring
an appropriate molecular absorption line of AlF generated in a
nitrous oxide–acetylene flame. It is reliable, fast and simple. Therefore,
after the validation of the method, nitrous oxide/acetylene
flame came into prominence for the determination of F via AlF
by HR-CS-AAS. The most remarkable advantages of the method
proposed in this study are as such; Al is a cheap and an easily available
molecule forming element and flame used as an atomizer in
this study is a cheaper atomizer than graphite furnace that is used
extensively in the previous studies.
However, this is an indirect method and like other similar studies,
there are extra parameters to be optimized such as appropriate
concentration of molecule forming reagent. In addition, the interferences
due to competitive reactions of complicated heavy matrix
constituents with analyte and the molecule forming element are
potential sources of error and cannot be prevented. Therefore, in
case of any difference between the results found by linear calibration
and standard addition techniques, the latter is more reliable
due to the above-mentioned reasons.