What is standard addition method?

Standard addition method is a technique used in analytical chemistry to determine the concentration of analytes in a sample. The method involves adding a known amount of standard solution (of the analyte) to the sample and measuring the changes in the signal (such as absorbance or fluorescence) caused by the addition. By comparing these changes to those produced by a series of standard solutions of known concentrations, the concentration of the analyte in the sample can be calculated.

The main advantage of the standard addition method is that it corrects for matrix effects and interferences that may be present in the sample, leading to more accurate results. It is commonly used in the analysis of complex samples, where traditional calibration methods may be less accurate.

The standard addition method is often used in conjunction with instrumental techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, chromatography, and spectroscopy. It is a versatile and widely used technique in analytical chemistry for quantitative analysis of analytes in samples with unknown or complex matrices.