Analytical Evaluation of an Integrated Ultrasonic Nebulizer-hydride Generator System for Simultaneous Determination of Hydride and Non-hydride Forming Elements by Microwave Induced Plasma Spectrometry

ABSTRACT

The commercial ultrasonic nebulizer NOVA-DUO (ultrasonic nebulizer dual capillary system USN/DCS) has been evaluated for the simultaneous determination of classical hydride forming (As, Bi, Ge, Sb, Se, Sn) and conventional non-hydride forming (Ba, Ca, Fe, Li, Mg, Sr) elements by microwave induced plasma-optical emission spectrometry (MIP-OES). Simultaneous mixing and nebulization of the two solutions (acidified sample and reductant) on the piezoelectric transducer, with the possibility of flow rate adjustment, permits a wide variation of sensitivity. The hydrides and aerosols were rapidly transported via a stream of Ar carrier to a MIP for simultaneous multi-element determination by OES. A univariate approach and simplex optimization procedure was used to achieve optimized conditions and derive analytical figures of merit. Analytical performance of the ultrasonic nebulization system was characterized by determination of the limits of detection (LODs) and precision (RSDs) with the USN/DCS observed at 11 µL min^?1 flow rate. The experimental concentration detection limits for simultaneous determination, calculated as the concentration giving a signal equal to three times of standard deviation of the blank (LOD, 3σ_blank criterion, peak height) were 1.3, 5.9, 6.6, 1.8, 3.6, 2.6, 41, 8.1, 11, 7.5, 9.2, and 12 ng mL^?1 for As, Bi, Ge, Sb, Se Sn, Ba, Ca, Fe, Li, Mg, and Sr, respectively. The method offers relatively good precision (RSD ranged from 9 to 13%) for liquid analysis and microsampling capability. Interference effects by transition metals have been shown to be corrected by the addition of thiourea, as a pre-reducing agent and masking agent. The accuracy of the method was verified by the use of certified reference materials (NRCC DOLT-2, NRC GBW 07302, NIST SRM 2710, NIST SRM 1643e) and by aqueous standard calibration technique. All results obtained for reference materials were in agreement with certified values at 95% confidence level by Student t-test.