Characterization of aerosols generated by thermospray nebulization for atomic spectroscopy

The performance of an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) for atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is strongly dependent upon the sample introduction system. The Thermospray Vaporizer has recently been shown to yield enhanced sensitivity compared to conventional pneumatic nebulizers when used as a sample introduction source for the ICP. This report is a study of the properties of the aerosols produced by the thermospray. Aerosol particle diameter distributions have been related to droplet size distribution and nebulization efficiencies as a function of the relevant variables of the nebulization system. The results help explain high emission intensities and lower detection limits achieved using the thermospray. The higher efficiencies with thermospray, compared to conventional pneumatic nebulization, also makes the thermospray a prime candidate for sample introduction into molecular gas ICPs.