Simple and convenient analytical method for the direct determination of chlorine species by ETV-ICP-AES using tungsten boat furnace vaporiser and exchangeable small sample cuvettes

A tungsten boat furnace vaporiser and an exchangeable sample cuvette system were applied for the direct determination of chlorine in plastic samples by electrothermal vaporisation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Each piece of plastic samples was moulded into a thin film, and weighed into small sample cuvettes. An ethanolic solution of the modifier potassium hydroxide and an organic solvent were added to each sample cuvette. The contents including the plastic piece were spread over the bottom of each sample cuvette by warming on a hotplate. After the preparation, one of the cuvettes was placed in the tungsten boat furnace equipped with the electrothermal vaporiser. The temperature was gradually elevated. At the flash vaporisation step of 1800 °C, the analyte was vaporised and introduced into the ICP to measure an atomic emission assignable to Cl I 134.724 nm. A widely spread thin layer of the plastic facilitated its rapid evaporation and introduction into an ICP atomic emission spectrometer. Since all the chlorine species were on-furnace decomposed to form potassium chloride during the pretreatment, the solid samples were analysed using a calibration curve prepared from the aqueous standard solutions. By using this system, a detection limit of 1.5 μg g⁻¹ of chlorine in solid plastic samples was established when a sample amount taken of 2 mg was studied. The exchangeable sample cuvette technique makes it possible to measure a number of sample sequentially by preparing a lot of sample cuvettes prior to analysis. Approximately 20 batches could be vaporised per hour. Analytical results of some plastic samples that were analysed by this technique are given in this report.     

Using of Fractional Separation for the Analysis of MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript> by Atomic Emission Spectrometry with Inductively Coupled Plasma and Electrothermal Vaporization

The introduction of various forms of molybdenum into an inductively coupled plasma was studied in the vaporization of solutions from a graphite tube. A temperature program is selected that enables the separated vaporization of analytes and molybdenum (matrix) for atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma and electrothermal vapoization (ETV–ICP–AES) analysis. The limits of detection for analytes in the ETV–ICP–AES analysis of molybdenum trioxide are evaluated using the fractional separation of analytes and the matrix.     

石墨炉电热蒸发进样与ICP—AES联用技术研究——仪器装置及其分析性能

将石墨炉作为蒸发器与ICP－AES联用，改善其检出限并赋予微量体积样品分析的能力，用自已缓装的仪器，选择了等离子体和石墨炉各自最佳操作，结果表明，取样量为10μL时，大多数元素的检出限达μg/L级；相对标准偏差5％；线性范围达4个数量级。     

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric determination of the absorption of iron in normal women

The determination of iron isotope ratios in blood, without prior sample preparation, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with sample introduction by electrothermal vaporisation (ETV) is described. Following oral administration of 5 mg of enriched 54FeSO4 and intravenous administration of 200 micrograms of 57FeSO4 to non-pregnant women, the 54Fe: 56Fe and 57Fe: 56Fe isotope ratios in serum were measured reliably within 20 min per sample in quintuplicate. Changes in the fractional absorption of iron during human pregnancy could therefore be assessed.     

Radionuclide determination in environmental samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The determination of naturally occurring and anthropogenic radionuclides in the environment by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has gained recognition over the last fifteen years, relative to radiometric techniques, as the result of improvement in instrumental performance, sample introduction equipment, and sample preparation. With the increase in instrumental sensitivity, it is now possible to measure ultratrace levels (fg range) of many radioisotopes, including those with half-lives between 1 and 1000 years, without requiring very complex sample pre-concentration schemes. However, the identification and quantification of radioisotopes in environmental matrices is still hampered by a variety of analytical issues such as spectral (both atomic and molecular ions) and non-spectral (matrix effect) interferences and instrumental limitations (e.g., abundance sensitivity).The scope of this review is to highlight recent analytical progress and issues associated with the determination of radionuclides by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The impact of interferences, instrumental limitations (e.g., degree of ionization, abundance sensitivity, detection limits) and low sample-to-plasma transfer efficiency on the measurement of radionuclides by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry will be described. Solutions that overcome these issues will be discussed, highlighting their pros and cons and assessing their impact on the measurement of environmental radioactivity. Among the solutions proposed, mass and chemical resolution through the use of sector-field instruments and chemical reactions/collisions in a pressurized cell, respectively, will be described. Other methods, such as unique sample introduction equipment (e.g., laser ablation, electrothermal vaporisation, high efficiency nebulization) and instrumental modifications/optimizations (e.g., instrumental vacuum, radiofrequency power, guard electrode) that improve sensitivity and performance will also be examined.     

Comparative Studies on Chemical Modification by Diethyldithiocarbamate for ETV-ICP-OES and ETAAS Determination of Chromium and Nickel

The chemical modification of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) in electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ETV-ICP-OES) and in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was comparatively investigated. The experimental results indicated that the formation of Cr- and Ni-DDTC chelates enhanced significantly the emission signals of Cr and Ni in ETV-ICP-OES, but decreased the absorption signal of Cr and Ni in ETAAS. The different role of DDTC in ETV-ICP-OES and ETAAS was attributed to the different functions of the graphite furnace in the two techniques. The graphite furnace was used as both a vaporizer and an atom-vessel for analytes in ETAAS, but only used as a vaporizer for the sample in ETV-ICP-OES. Thermal gravimetric analysis of Cr- and Ni-DDTC chelates and UV-Vis analysis of the sample vapor collected in CHCl₃ after vaporization of their chelates from the graphite furnace indicated that the analytes were vaporized and transported into ICP as their chelates. In addition, the vaporization mechanism of Cr and Ni was also briefly discussed.     

Graphite-furnace AAS with ultrasonic nebulization

A technique combining ultrasonic nebulization of solutions and graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry is described. The analytical possibilities of two different techniques are shown. In one the nebulized samples are continuously introduced into a graphite tube operated at constant temperature, and in the other deposited on the inner wall of the graphite tube and heated discontinuously. The method chosen influences the absorption values for several elements. The sensitivity for determination by continuous sampling lies between the values for the normal electrothermal AAS injection technique and flame AAS. Higher sensitivities are obtained with the deposition technique.     

Current Developments in Optical Emission Spectrometry with High-Frequency and Microwave Induced Plasmas

The state-of-the-art and trends of development with the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and microwave induced plasmas (MIP) as radiation sources for optical emission spectrometry arc presented. Especially techniques for sample introduction are discussed. Here special reference is given to the use of spark ablation as well as 10 direct sample insertion and slurry atomization for the direct analysis of powder samples. The development in MIP optical emission Spectrometry is shown to center on the improvement of the plasma sources, their characterization and their tailoring to various sampling techniques. Results of the use of pneumatic nebulization of liquids and electrothermal evaporation of dry solution residues will be presented.     

Determination of trace elements in petroleum products by inductively coupled plasma techniques: A critical review

The fundamentals, applications and latter developments of petroleum products analysis through inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are revisited in the present bibliographic survey. Sample preparation procedures for the direct analysis of fuels by using liquid sample introduction systems are critically reviewed and compared. The most employed methods are sample dilution, emulsion or micro-emulsion preparation and sample decomposition. The first one is the most widely employed due to its simplicity. Once the sample has been prepared, an organic matrix is usually present. The performance of the sample introduction system (i.e., nebulizer and spray chamber) depends strongly upon the nature and properties of the solution finally obtained. Many different devices have been assayed and the obtained results are shown. Additionally, samples can be introduced into the plasma by using an electrothermal vaporization (ETV) device or a laser ablation system (LA). The recent results published in the literature showing the feasibility, advantages and drawbacks of latter alternatives are also described. Therefore, the main goal of the review is the discussion of the different approaches developed for the analysis of crude oil and its derivates by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) techniques.     

电热蒸发进样电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱（ETV－ICP－AES）联用技术研究

本文采用国产部件组装了一套ＥＴＶ－ＩＣＰ－ＡＥＳ仪器体系，对装置的连接及操作参数进行优化。深入系统地考察了分析物的蒸发过程和传输过程，提出了难熔元素的蒸发和传输机理。研究了ＥＴＶ－ＩＣＰ－ＡＥＳ中基体效应，提出了以聚四氟乙烯为氟化剂，氟化辅助ＥＴＶ－ＩＣＰ－ＡＥＳ测定难熔元素的新方法，应用于环境和生物标样中痕量元素分析，获得满意结果。     

Electrothermal vaporisation ICP-mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS) for the determination and speciation of trace elements in solid samples - A review of real-life applications from the author's lab

The use of electrothermal vaporisation (ETV) from a graphite furnace as a means of sample introduction in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) permits the direct analysis of solid samples. A multi-step furnace temperature programme is used to separate the vaporisation of the target element(s) and of the matrix components from one another. Sometimes, a chemical modifier is used to enable a higher thermal pre-treatment temperature, by avoiding premature analyte losses (stabilisation) or promoting the selective volatilisation of matrix components. In almost all instances, accurate results can be obtained via external calibration or single standard addition using an aqueous standard solution. Absolute limits of detection are typically ~1 pg, which corresponds to 1 ng/g for a typical sample mass of 1 mg. Real-life applications carried out in the author's lab are used to illustrate the utility of this approach. These applications aim at trace element determination in industrial and environmental materials. The industrial materials analysed include different types of plastics - Carilon, polyethylene, poly(ethyleneterephtalate) and polyamide - and photo- and thermographic materials. As samples from environmental origin, plant material, animal tissue and sediments were investigated. Some applications aimed at a multi-element determination, while in other, the content of a single, but often challenging, element (e.g., Si or S) had to be measured. ETV-ICP-MS was also used in elemental speciation studies. Separation of Se-containing proteins was accomplished using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Subsequent quantification of the Se content in the protein spots was carried out using ETV-ICP-MS. As the volatilisation of methylmercury and inorganic mercury could be separated from one another with respect to time, no chromatographic or electrophoretic separation procedure was required, but ETV-ICP-MS as such sufficed for Hg speciation in fish tissue.     

Determination of vanadium in petroleum and petroleum products using atomic spectrometric techniques

Vanadium is recognized worldwide as the most abundant metallic constituent in petroleum. It is causing undesired side effects in the refining process, and corrosion in oil-fired power plants. Consequently, it is the most widely determined metal in petroleum and its derivatives. This paper offers a critical review of analytical methods based on atomic spectrometric techniques, particularly flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In addition an overview is provided of the sample pretreatment and preparation procedures for vanadium determination in petroleum and petroleum products. Also included are the most recent studies about speciation and fractionation analysis using atomic spectrometric techniques.     

Tungsten devices in analytical atomic spectrometry

Tungsten devices have been employed in analytical atomic spectrometry for approximately 30 years. Most of these atomizers can be electrically heated up to 3000 °C at very high heating rates, with a simple power supply. Usually, a tungsten device is employed in one of two modes: as an electrothermal atomizer with which the sample vapor is probed directly, or as an electrothermal vaporizer, which produces a sample aerosol that is then carried to a separate atomizer for analysis. Tungsten devices may take various physical shapes: tubes, cups, boats, ribbons, wires, filaments, coils and loops. Most of these orientations have been applied to many analytical techniques, such as atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry, atomic fluorescence spectrometry, laser excited atomic fluorescence spectrometry, metastable transfer emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and microwave plasma atomic spectrometry. The analytical figures of merit and the practical applications reported for these techniques are reviewed. Atomization mechanisms reported for tungsten atomizers are also briefly summarized. In addition, less common applications of tungsten devices are discussed, including analyte preconcentration by adsorption or electrodeposition and electrothermal separation of analytes prior to analysis. Tungsten atomization devices continue to provide simple, versatile alternatives for analytical atomic spectrometry.     

Untersuchungen zur bestimmung seltener erden durch atomabsorption mit elektrothermischer atomisierung

The determination of rare earths by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomizationThe electrothermal atomization of traces of rare earths has been investigated with different atomizers (carbon rod, graphite furnace, tantalum ribbon). The best analytical results are obtained with a modified tantalum thermal atomizer, because the formation of rare earth carbides is then impossible. Mixed argon—hydrogen atmospheres improve the concentration of atoms in the plasma, because hydrogen reduces the rare earth oxide radicals. The optimal analytical conditions are described. The detection limits are: 25 pg Yb, 22 pg Eu, 62 pg Tm, 2000 pg Sm, 300 pg Ho, 300 pg Dy, 1300 pg Er.     

Role of Modern Analytical Chemistry in Material Analyses for Trace Metals

The trend in the modern analytical laboratory is toward lower and lower analytical concentration measurements. The analyst has a variety of analytical instruments and techniques in which to meet the ever growing need for lower concentration measurements with improved precision and accuracy. Techniques available to the analyst include flame and electrothermal atomization-atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry, laser enhanced ionization spectrometry, neutron activation analysis, spectrophotometry, isotope dilution mass spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence spectometry, electroanalytical, and chromatography. However, there is no analytical technique that is a panacea for all analytes in the modern analytical laboratory. Steps the analyst must consider to obtain the highest degree of precision and accuracy include the obtaining of a representative sample, the selection of the “best” analytical method, the preparation of the sample, the calibration of the instrumentation, the deciding on the level of effort for the chemical measurement and the evaluation of the data are discussed.     

An automated direct sample insertion system for the inductively coupled plasma

A new sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry is described. With this system, sample carrying cups can be sequentially and automatically inserted into an ICP discharge using a pneumatically activated transport system. The system carousel holds up to 24 cups (graphite or metal) and is located below a modified plasma torch that accommodates pneumatic injection of the entire sample carrying cup. The torch-insertion subassembly allows height programming of the final insertion and hence steps such as drying and ashing can be performed in situ. The system is applicable to the analysis of small volumes of liquids (10 μl) and small amounts (10 mg) of powders. The analytical characteristics will be presented including signal temporal behavior, detection limits and precision. Preliminary results indicate that the direct quantitative analysis of powdered botanicals and coal is feasible.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP-MS)测定废水中有害元素银的含量

为了寻求一种更加适合废水中低含量银的测定方法,本文采用石墨电热板消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定废水中的低含量银离子。通过仪器工作条件最优化、测定线性回归方程、检出限、准确度、精密度、实际样品加标回收率,并与电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法（ICP-AES）的实际样品测定结果进行比对来评价该方法的实用性。石墨电热板消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法前处理方法简便,分析速度快且该方法检出限较低,为0.03ug/L,标准样品测定的相对误差为-0.7%～1.7%,相对标准偏差为1.1%～2.5%,实际样品加标回收率在97.0%～103%之间,回收率高,能够满足废水中低含量银的测定。     

Electrothermal vaporization of mineral acid solutions in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: comparison with sample nebulization

The analytical behaviour of an electrothermal vaporization (ETV) device for the introduction of mineral acid solutions in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was evaluated. Water, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, perchloric acid and sulphuric acid in concentrations within the 0.05–1.0 mol l⁻¹ range were studied. For all the acids tested, increasing the acid concentration increases the ion signal and deteriorates the precision. The magnitude of the signal enhancement depends on the analyte and on the acid considered. Acid solutions give rise to ion signals that are between 2 and 10 times higher than those with water. Among the acids tested, sulphuric acid provides the highest signals. The addition of palladium reduces matrix effects due to the acids and increases the signal in ETV ICP-MS. In comparison with conventional sample nebulization (CS), the ETV sample introduction system provides higher sensitivities (between 2 and 20 times higher) at the same acid concentration. The magnitude of this improvement is similar to that obtained with a microwave desolvation system (MWDS). The ETV sample introduction system gives rise to the lowest background signals from matrix-induced species. Due to this fact, the limits of detection (LODs) obtained for the isotopes affected by any interference are lower for ETV sample introduction than those obtained with the CS and the MWDS. For the isotopes that do not suffer from matrix-induced spectral interferences, the ETV gives rise to LODs higher than those obtained with the CS. For these isotopes the lowest LODs are obtained with MWDS.     

Atomic Emission Spectrometry of Inductively Coupled Plasma with Sample Introduction by Electrothermal Vaporization

A system is described in which a graphite furnace electrothermal vaporization device is employed for the introduction of microlitre liquid sample into an inductively coupled argon plasma. The technique provides a picogram detection limit and an adequate precision with a relative standard deviation of 4%. Mechanism of analyte condensation in transport process is explored. As an application, the technique combined with DDTC/CCl4 extraction is used to enrich and determine non- rare earth impurities in highly pure La2O3.     

Determination of erbium and neodymium dopants in bismuth tellurite optical crystals by graphite furnace atomic spectrometry techniques

Application of concentrated HCl as a solvent and triammonium citrate (TAC) as a chemical modifier is advantageous for the determination of Er and Nd dopants in bismuth tellurite (Bi₂TeO₅) single crystals by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The use of mini-flow of the internal gas, instead of gas stop, results in better precision at a price of a relatively small decrease in sensitivity. By evaluating integrated absorbance (A_int) signals for the GFAAS measurements (in the presence of matrix and TAC additive), characteristic mass values of 42 and 320 pg, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.9 and 131 μg l⁻¹ are found for Er and Nd, respectively. These LOD data correspond to 0.78 μg g⁻¹ Er and 21 μg g⁻¹ Nd in the solid samples. The calibration curves are linear up to 0.33 and 2.9 mg l⁻¹ concentrations in the solutions of Er and Nd, respectively. The ratio of the A_int signals of Er and Nd under gas stop and mini-flow were found near constant (1.34) with and without the matrix plus TAC. According to the vaporisation studies by graphite furnace electrothermal vaporisation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (GF-ETV-ICP-AES), the vaporisation of Bi and Te components of the solid Bi₂TeO₅ can be completed at 1200°C in a relatively short time, ensuring a preconcentration for the Er and Nd dopants, which do not vaporise below 2200°C in an argon atmosphere. On the other hand, fast vaporisation can be performed for the analytes at 2200°C with the use of CCl₄ vapour (∼0.5 v/v%) in the internal furnace gas (Ar). It was estimated for the Er analyte that by applying 10 mg of solid sample in the GF-ETV device (dispensed into a graphite sample boat) and using a two-step heating procedure (prevaporisation of the matrix in argon and vaporisation of the analyte in a chlorinating atmosphere), the lower limit of the quantitative determination with the ICP-AES method would be approximately one order of magnitude better than attainable with the GFAAS method based on dissolution.