Matrix interferences in the determination of trace elements in waste waters by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulization

The use of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulization (USN-ICP-AES) for determining Ag, Al, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, V and Zn in complex matrices of Ca, Na, K and P in waste waters is described. Generally, depressions in the analyte emission intensity occur in the presence of concomitants. Matrix interferences can be minimized by increasing the operating power and lowering the carrier gas flow rate. However, the enhancement of the signal-to-background ratios (SBRs) shows an opposite trend. Therefore, routine analyses were performed at a compromise power setting of 1,350 W, a carrier gas flow rate of 0.8 L min(-1) and an observation height of 14 mm above the load coil and using a matrix matched calibration procedure. Limits of detection (LODs) at chosen operating conditions were at microg L(-1) levels for most of the elements studied, including mercury when KBr is added to the analyte solution to enhance sensitivity. LODs were not significantly changed in the presence of matrix elements. Recoveries for the majority of added elements from spiked waste water samples are between 93 and 105% using a matrix matched calibration.     

Matrix interferences in the determination of trace elements in waste waters by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulization

The use of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulization (USN-ICP-AES) for determining Ag, Al, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, V and Zn in complex matrices of Ca, Na, K and P in waste waters is described. Generally, depressions in the analyte emission intensity occur in the presence of concomitants. Matrix interferences can be minimized by increasing the operating power and lowering the carrier gas flow rate. However, the enhancement of the signal-to-background ratios (SBRs) shows an opposite trend. Therefore, routine analyses were performed at a compromise power setting of 1350 W, a carrier gas flow rate of 0.8 L min^–1 and an observation height of 14 mm above the load coil and using a matrix matched calibration procedure. Limits of detection (LODs) at chosen operating conditions were at μg L^–1 levels for most of the elements studied, including mercury when KBr is added to the analyte solution to enhance sensitivity. LODs were not significantly changed in the presence of matrix elements. Recoveries for the majority of added elements from spiked waste water samples are between 93 and 105% using a matrix matched calibration. Received: 13 January 2000 / Revised: 10 April 2000 / Accepted: 18 April 2000     

Analytical evaluation of electrothermal vaporization/low-pressure inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry for trace elemental analysis in microliter samples

A novel method for the determination of trace elements in microliter samples using the tantalum filament electrothermal vaporization/low-pressure inductively coupled plasma (ETV/LP-ICP) atomic emission spectrometry has been developed. An improved tantalum filament ETV was directly coupled with LP-ICP system for efficient vaporization of microliter samples and further quantitative analysis. The experimental parameters including ETV current, rf power and mass flow rate of argon carrier gas were optimized using the copper emission signal produced by 5 μl of standard solution (5 μg/ml). Under the optimized condition, the analytical performances including linearity, precision and detection limit for the developed system were investigated. Absolute detection limits in the range of 22–391 pg for selected eight elements (Fe, Cu, Cr, Mn, Pb, K, Zn and Mg) were obtained with satisfactory precision (<8.9% RSD). The feasibility of the developed system has been demonstrated by analyzing wheat gluten NIST standard sample.     

低功率微波等离子体炬原子发射光谱法的研究——超声雾化进样测定金、银、铂、铑、钯

本文提出一种测定贵金属元素的微波等离子体炬原子发射光谱法(MPTAES)。采用自制的超声雾化微量进样装置进样,以氩气为工作气体,探讨了观察高度,微波功率、体系介质、氩气流量和共存元素对被测元素发射信号的影响。选用合适的分析线和MPT光源的工作参数,其方法的检出限分别为5.8(Au)、0.5(Ag)、12(Pt)、1.6(Rh)和t 1.0ng/ml(Pd)。实际样品中金和银的测定结果是令人满意的。     

Inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry of sulfur with a vacuum scanning spectrometer and its application to the analysis of coal liquefaction catalysts

Inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry with a high-resolution vacuum scanning monochromator is described for the determination of sulfur at 180.734 nm. The behavior of the signal-to-background ratio is investigated as functions of RF power, argon gas flow rate and observation height above the load coil. Under the operating conditions selected, the detection limit is 3 μg l^?1. The Se I 196.090-nm line is chosen as internal standard, because the S/Se line pair exhibited the least change with carrier gas flow rate and acid concentration of solution. Sulfur in NiMo and CoMo/ Al₂O₃ catalysts used for coal liquefaction is determined as S(II) and S(VI) species. The total amount of the species agreed well with the sulfur value obtained by the conventinal combustion method.     

Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer warning diagnosis procedure using blank solution data

Lines available while running a blank solution were used to monitor the analytical performance of an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) system in real time. Using H and Ar lines and their signal-to-background ratios (SBRs), simple rules in the form of a prediction table were developed by inspection of the data. These rules could be used for predicting changes in radio-frequency power, carrier gas flow rates, and sample introduction rate. The performance of the prediction table was good but not excellent. Another set of rules in the form of a decision tree was developed in an automated fashion using the C4.5 induction engine. The performance of the decision tree was superior to that of the prediction table. It appears that blank spectral information can be used to predict with over 90% accuracy when an ICP-AES is breaking down. However this is not as definitive at identifying the exact fault as some more exhaustive approaches involving the use of standard solutions.     

Application of plasma gas modulation technique for improvement of the measurement of Mn emission intensity in ICP-AES

A phase-sensitive detection technique associated with a digital lock-in amplifier was applied for an improvement of the detection in ICP-AES. The lock-in amplifier works as an extremely narrow band pass filter. It can pick up the modulated signal, which has the same frequency as the reference signal, from any noise and thus it can improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Modulation of the ICP can be performed by mixing small amounts of air to argon as the outer gas cyclically, because the emission intensities of ionic lines are enhanced by using the mixed gas. An electromagnetic valve, which is placed in the outer-gas flow path, causes periodic variation in the air gas in the outer-gas flow, and thus switching the valve on/off can modulate the ICP. By choosing the appropriate conditions, the addition of air gas enhances the emission intensity of ionic lines more than that of the background, thus leading to improved signal-to-background ratios. At the same time the lock-in amplifier further enhances the ionic emissions because it picks up only the modulated part of the signal. By applying the plasma gas flow modulation technique the detection and the determination limits of the Mn II 257.610 nm line are improved in comparison with the conventional method. A change in plasma shape corresponding to the modulation frequency is observed when the ICP is modulated.     

Application of plasma gas modulation technique for improvement of the measurement of Mn emission intensity in ICP-AES

A phase-sensitive detection technique associated with a digital lock-in amplifier was applied for an improvement of the detection in ICP-AES. The lock-in amplifier works as an extremely narrow band pass filter. It can pick up the modulated signal, which has the same frequency as the reference signal, from any noise and thus it can improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Modulation of the ICP can be performed by mixing small amounts of air to argon as the outer gas cyclically, because the emission intensities of ionic lines are enhanced by using the mixed gas. An electromagnetic valve, which is placed in the outer-gas flow path, causes periodic variation in the air gas in the outer-gas flow, and thus switching the valve on/off can modulate the ICP. By choosing the appropriate conditions, the addition of air gas enhances the emission intensity of ionic lines more than that of the background, thus leading to improved signal-to-background ratios. At the same time the lock-in amplifier further enhances the ionic emissions because it picks up only the modulated part of the signal. By applying the plasma gas flow modulation technique the detection and the determination limits of the Mn II 257.610 nm line are improved in comparison with the conventional method. A change in plasma shape corresponding to the modulation frequency is observed when the ICP is modulated.     

Some analytical characteristics of an argon—nitrogen d.c. plasma arc for emission spectrometry

A low-power d.c. plasma arc device was used to estimate the analytical characteristics of an Ar—N₂ plasma arc compared to those of an argon plasma arc. When the flow rate of added nitrogen was varied from 0 to 1 l min^-1, the Cd I 228.802-nm line showed a maximum signal-to-background ratio at a nitrogen flow rate of approximately 0.3 1 min^-1 which corresponds to 0.23% of the total argon flow rate. Ratios of the signal intensities with the Ar—0.23%N₂ and argon plasma arcs are given for the spectral lines of seventeen elements. Relatively higher ratios were found for the atom lines of the group VIII through IIIA elements in the periodic table. Better precision and lower detection limits were attained for aluminium and cadmium with the Ar—0.23%N₂ plasma arc than with the argon plasma arc.     

A novel bottom-viewed inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

A novel optical configuration for inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-atomic emission spectrometry is presented. Plasma emission is measured axially via the bottom end of the ICP torch. Analytical performance, such as increase in signal-to-background ratio (SBR) over radially viewed ICP and linear dynamic range, is comparable to that of end-on axially viewed ICP reported in the literatures. Under typical ICP operating conditions (forward power=1.0–1.6 kW, central channel gas flow rate=0.8–1.4 l/min), SBR is generally five times or more that of radial-viewing mode (observation heights=3–20 mm) for atomic lines of elements of low to medium ionization potential (Na, K, Sr and Ba). The enhancement factor in SBR is two to four times for ionic lines (e.g. MgII) and atomic lines of elements of high ionization potential (Zn). The influence of ICP forward power and carrier gas flow rate on analyte emission intensity and SBR were also studied. Similar to radially viewed ICP, as forward power increases, the net emission intensity increases and SBR decreases. Using a constant flux of analyte aerosols, the net intensity decreases as the central channel gas flow rate increases. No trend of SBR vs. central channel gas flow rate, however, is found. The linear dynamic range starts and ends at analyte concentration 0.5–1 order of magnitude lower than the corresponding radial-viewing mode. As a result, the span of linear dynamic range is similar for all viewing modes. Matrix effects of K and Ca on atomic lines are different from those reported for end-on axially viewed ICPs, probably due to the difference in the plasma regions that were probed. The matrix effects on ionic lines, however, are similar in magnitude.     

微波等离子体炬发射光谱法测定锌的研究

研究了用微量进样-微波等离子体炬发射光谱法(MPTAES)测定锌的方法,考察了微波功率、载气流量、酸浓度等实验参数对锌发射强度的影响。方法测定锌的检出限为1.2ng/ml。对实际样品进行的分析令人满意。     

Membrane desolvation for the analysis of organic solutions and liquid chromatographic samples with low power helium microwave induced plasma atomic emission detection

A flat sheet membrane desolvator (FSMD) was used to extend the applicability of a 120 W helium microwave induced plasma (He-MIP) to elemental analysis of organic-solvent-based samples and element selective liquid chromatographic detection. With the FSMD on-line, methanol could be nebulized with a sample flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and a carrier gas flow rate of 1.2 l/min without extinguishing the plasma. Under these conditions, applying desolvator countercurrent gas flows in the range 0–8 l/min restored of the original pink color of the pure helium MIP from the bluish-green caused by methanol. Significant reductions in the emission intensities of C₂ species at 436.5, 473.7, 512.9, and 563.6 nm were observed with the application of the FSMD. The intensities of chlorine analyte emission lines at 479.5, 481.0 and 481.9 nm increased with increasing countercurrent gas flow rates and reached a maximum intensity with a flow rate of 5.0 l/min. Detection limits for Cl and Pb were 2.1 and 0.1 ppm using a 1 m focal length monochromator. Other elements and solvent combinations were also examined. Element selective liquid chromatographic detection was preliminarily examined by monitoring 2,6-dichlorobenzene and 5,7-dichlorohydroxyquinoline at the 479.5 nm Cl atomic emission line. Chlorine detection limits in the 3–7 μg range (70–190 ng/s) were obtained.     

Study of Spectral Character of Alkali Metals Using Microwave Plasma Torch Simultaneous Spectrometer

IntroductionIn the past decades, alkali metals were widely ap-plied in many fields, such as applied catalysis[1,2],surface science[3,4], and molecular biology[5]. Micro-wave plasma torch(MPT), developed and improved byYu and coworkers[6,7], is a novel dev…     

Advantages and effects of nitrogen doping into the central channel of plasma in axially viewed-inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

The effects and benefits of N₂ addition to the central channel of the ICP through the nebulizer gas used in ICP OES with axial view configuration were investigated in the present study. The N₂ flow rate, nebulizer gas flow rate, RF power and sample uptake rate were evaluated and compared for two sample introduction systems (pneumatic nebulization/aerosol desolvation and conventional pneumatic nebulization). It was observed that N₂ did not affect solution nebulization and aerosol transport but affects the ICP characteristics. The higher thermal conductivity of N₂ (in comparison with Ar) changes energy distribution in the ICP, observed by monitoring the signals of Ar emission lines and sodium emission. The ratio Mg(II)-280.270 nm/Mg(I)-285.213 nm was utilized as a diagnostic tool for plasma robustness. The addition of N₂ (20 mL min⁻¹) increased plasma robustness significantly and mitigated effects caused by Na, K and Ca. For 40 spectral lines evaluated, it was observed that the emission signals of ionic spectral lines were in general more affected by N₂ than those of atomic spectral lines. Detection limits, precision, sensitivity and linearity of calibration curves obtained using N₂-Ar-ICP were almost similar to those obtained using Ar-ICP. The analysis of 5 different reference materials revealed that accuracy was not degraded by adding N₂ to the Ar-ICP.     

低功率微波热雾化器与同轴气动雾化器作为电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法进样装置的比较

对用低功率微波热雾化器(MWTN)和同轴气动雾化器(PN)作为电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪(ICP-AES)进样装置时，仪器的操作条件(样品提升速率(Q1)、载气流速(Fc))进行了选择和比较。在选定的条件下，比较了两种雾化器的分析性能。发现HCI的浓度对两种雾化器的影响不同，对于MWTN，Cr、Cd、Co、Mn和Ls，谱线的发射强度随HCl浓度的增加而略有增加；而对于PN，谱线的发射强度随HCl浓度的增加而略有降低；MWTN对于上述5种元素的检出限均优于PN，而精密度则不如后者。     

用低功率微波热雾化器与十字交叉气动雾化器作为ICP-AES进样装置的比较

在 ICP- AES中 ,最常用来引入液体样品的方法是雾化法 .因此 ,雾化器雾化效率的高低直接影响到 ICP- AES的分析性能 [1,2 ] .目前 ,在 ICP- AES中最常用的雾化器是气动雾化器 (PN) .它的优点是简单、稳定性好 ;缺点是产生的雾滴的直径范围很宽 (一般为 1～ 50 μm) ,进样效率低 ,一般仅为 1 %～3% [3] .热雾化器是近年发展起来的一种雾化效率较高的雾化法 ,已被越来越多地用于 ICP- AES[4～ 7] .热雾化法的雾化原理与同轴气动雾化法类似 ,不同之处在于 :对于热雾化法来说 ,(1 )雾化所需的气体来自于液体样品本身而不是外加的惰性…     

微波等离子体炬原子发射光谱法测定豆制品中的金属含量

研究了用微波消解-微波等离子体炬原子发射光谱法(MPT-AES)测定豆制品中的金属含量的方法.考察了各微量元素的分析谱线波长、载气流量、工作气流量、氧屏蔽气压力和微波前向功率对Mg,Ca,Cu,Fe,Zn,Pb,Ni,Cr,Cd,Mn 10种金属元素发射谱线强度的影响,分析了酸浓度及共存离子对其测定的影响,得到了测量不同金属离子的最佳工作条件,进而得出了在最佳条件下测量10种金属离子的工作曲线、检出限、相对标准偏差(小于5%)、回收率(98.47%~101.47%)等,并通过加标回收实验验证了方法的准确性.     

ICP–AES法测定药用植物中22种元素

建立微波消解–电感耦合等离子发射光谱(ICP–AES)测定贵州梵净山特色药用植物中Ni,Cd,As,Co等22种元素含量的方法。以硝酸–过氧化氢(3∶1)为消解体系,样品经微波消解后,用ICP–AES法对厚朴皮与厚朴根、野生艾纳香和人工种植艾纳香中22种元素含量及其差异进行分析。仪器工作条件:RF功率为1.25 k W,等离子体气流量为15.1 L/min,辅助气流量为1.0 L/min,雾化器气体流量为0.6 L/min。各元素在检测范围内有良好的线性,线性相关系数为0.986 7~0.999 6,检出限在0.001 2~0.012 3μg/g之间;加标回收率在95.55%~102.4%之间,测定结果的相对标准偏差为0.8%~3.6%(n=5)。该方法快速、准确、可靠,可用于药用植物样品中的微量元素分析。     

MPT-AES法同时测定航空润滑油中铁、银和镍

用微波等离子体炬原子发射光谱法(MPT-AES)同时测定未使用过的航空润滑油中铁、银和镍的方法。详细考察了微波功率、载气流量、工作气流量、氧屏蔽气压力等实验参数对铁、银和镍发射强度的影响,并进行了系统优化。测得铁、银和镍的检出限分别为21.94ng/mL0、.36ng/mL9、.82ng/mL,线性范围分别为0.1~100μg/mL、0.001~8μg/mL、0.05~8μg/mL,各元素测定结果的相对标准偏差均小于3.95%,回收率在93.1%~107.4%之间。     

Application of the generalized internal reference method for the characterization of parameters causing drift in inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry

Drift in signals limits the performance of inductively-coupled plasma (i.c.p.) emission spectrometry. The generalized internal reference method was applied to deconvolute the drift of an i.c.p. system. The plasma parameters were correlated to the drift components and the error boundary for the method was found. In the system studied, it was found that fluctuations in the nebulizer uptake rate were responsible for short-term signal changes. Long-term signal drift was caused mainly by flow variations of both cooling gas and aerosol carrier gas. The incident power to the plasma was found to be stable compared to other sources of drift. The method was found to be adequate for evaluating the origins of i.c.p. drift.