Determination of impurities in magnesium niobate by slurry introduction axially viewed inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

A simple preparation scheme is described for the quantitative analysis of a magnesium niobate sample using slurry introduction axially viewed inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Relationships between the stability of slurries and the conditions, such as particle size, pH, dispersant and amount of dispersant, were investigated experimentally. The MgNb₂O₆ slurry sample was prepared by adding the dispersant sodium polyacrylate and agitation in an ultrasonic bath to ensure good dispersion. Under optimization of pH and amount of dispersant, an analysis of minor and trace impurities (Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb) in magnesium niobate was accomplished. Applying a paired t test, we showed that the results were in agreement at a 95% confidence level with the reference values obtained by a fusion method for a magnesium niobate sample, which verified that the calibration curves could be established by aqueous standards. Analytical results demonstrate that the factors that affected the accuracy of determination for MgNb₂O₆ are mainly the particle size of the sample and the stability of slurry.     

ICP-AES 法测定硅铁中痕量元素

采用电感耦合等离子原子发射光谱法测定硅铁中的痕量元素,研究了 Fe 基体对被测元素的影响,并选择了最佳工作条件.被测元素的检测限为 0 .60～76.2 ng/mL,样品加标回收率为 92%～108%,RSD(n=8)<3%.     

Direct analysis of fly ash materials by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using slurry nebulization

Fly ash samples of cement works were analysed using slurry nebulization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric (ICP-AES). Because of the influence of the experimental factors on the signal intensity, the optimal conditions of the analysis circumstances were determined. Control analyses (wet digestion followed by ICP-AES, and XRF of dry powders (pressed pellets)) were also carried out to compare the results. Based on the result, it was concluded that the slurry nebulization method using slurry standard of same type reference material for calibration can be applied for rapid but less precise (RSD 5–10%) determination of the elements in fly ash.     

Trace element determination in crude oil and its fractions by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using ultrasonic nebulization of toluene solutions

A method was developed for the determination of trace elements in crude oil by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after sample dissolution in toluene and subsequent ultrasonic nebulization (USN). Carbon build-up at the interface and ion lenses was minimized by optimization of the argon to oxygen ratio in the plasma and by the desolvating action of the USN. The analyte addition technique, combined with internal standardization (¹¹⁵In), was the only calibration procedure capable to correct properly for signal suppression, especially observed in solutions with higher concentrations of asphaltenes. Analytical curves with good linearity (r²>0.99), and solution detection limits (LOD–3σ) of 0.1 μg l⁻¹ for V, Ni, Co, Y, Mo, Cd, Ba and La, and in the range of 0.1–1 μg l⁻¹ for Al, Ti, Fe, Zn, Sr, Ag, Sn and Pb were obtained. Method validation was performed by analyzing two certified reference materials. For National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) 1634c (V, Ni, Co), accuracy was approximately 10%, similar as observed for other 12 elements in NIST 1084a. Asphaltenes were separated from the oil bulk of crude oil samples from the Potiguar Basin (Brazil) using precipitation in heptane. The heptane-soluble fraction (maltenes) was separated by elution chromatography into three sub-fractions: (1) saturated and low molecular mass (MM) aromatics, (2) aromatics and low MM polar compounds, and (3) high MM polar compounds (resins). Trace elements were determined in these fractions after dissolution in toluene, by USN–ICP-MS. Mass balance calculations showed a significant increase of most elements (10–30 times) in the asphaltenic fraction, and in minor proportions in fraction 3, compared to the crude oil samples. Comparison with microwave-assisted acid decomposition showed good agreement, validating the proposed methodology and emphasizing its applicability for routine analysis of crude oil and other toluene soluble petroleum products.     

The use of carbon nanofibers microcolumn preconcentration for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry determination of Mn,Co and Ni

Based on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) as a solid phase extraction adsorbent, a microcolumn preconcentration method coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) was developed for the determination of trace elements (Mn, Co and Ni). The effect of various experimental parameters such as pH, sample flow rate and volume, elution solution and interfering ions on the retention of the studied ions have been investigated systematically. During all the steps of the experimental process, Mn, Co and Ni could be quantitatively sorbed on the microcolumn containing CNFs in the range of pH 6.0–9.0, and then eluted completely with 0.5 mol ml^− 1 HNO₃. A preconcentration factor of 150-fold was obtained. The detection limits for Mn, Co and Ni were 40, 0.4 and 8.0 pg ml^− 1, respectively, with relative standard deviations less than 6.0%. In order to validate the proposed method, two certified reference materials of human hair (GBW 07601) and mussel (GBW 08571), and water sample were analyzed with satisfactory results. The recoveries were between 95.0 and 114%.     

Analysis of nickel-niobium alloys by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was applied to the analysis of major and minor elements of Ni-Nb alloys obtained by aluminothermic reduction process. Digestion of samples was made using a mixture of HF+HNO₃. Minor and trace elements were determined without matrix separation. The precision for all constituents was <3%. Recoveries for the analyte-spiked samples were 95%.     

Determination of Cu, Mn, Ni and Sn in gasoline by electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and emulsion sample introduction

Trace metals in fuels, except in the case of additives, are usually undesirable and normally they occur in very low concentrations in gasoline, requiring sensitive techniques for their determination. Coupling of electrothermal vaporization with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry minimizes the problems related to the introduction of organic solvents into the plasma. Furthermore, sample preparation as oil-in-water emulsions reduces problems related to gasoline analysis. In this work, a method for determination of Cu, Mn, Ni and Sn in gasoline is proposed. Samples were prepared by forming a 10-fold diluted emulsion with a surfactant (Triton X-100), after treatment with concentrated HNO₃. The sample emulsion was pre-concentrated in the graphite tube by repeated pipetting and drying. External calibration was used with aqueous standards in a purified gasoline emulsion. Six samples from different gas stations were analyzed, and the analyte concentrations were found to be in the μg l⁻¹ range or below. The limits of detection were 0.22, 0.02, 0.38 and 0.03 μg l⁻¹ for Cu, Mn, Ni and Sn, respectively. The accuracy of the method was estimated using a recovery test.     

Determination of trace elements in human serum by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with flow injection

An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of some trace elements (Au, Fe, Mg, Li, Sr, Zn) in human serum by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) with flow injection is described. Physical interference caused by the change of sample viscosity is discussed. When 100 μl of serum was injected, the relevant recoveries of > 99% for Li, > 98% for Cu and Mg, > 95% for Fe were obtained for an NIST SRM with R.S.D. > 1.3% using optimized flow injection parameters. The prepared lyophilized control serum for routine analysis in clinical laboratories was analyzed and verified for the validity of the technique employed in this experiment using NIST SRM 909 as a primary reference material.     

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.     

ICP-AES法测定红土镍矿中镍、钙、钛、锰、铜、钴、铬、锌与磷的含量

建立了ICP-AES法测定红土镍矿中Ni;Ca;Ti;Mn;Cu;Co;Cr;Zn和P含量的方法。样品用HCl、HNO3溶解,加入HF和HClO4,加热至HClO4烟冒尽,用HCl溶解盐类,过滤,采用ICP-AES法同时测定滤液中Ni、Ca、Mn、Cu、Co、Zn、P;残渣经灼烧、挥硅、K2S2O7熔融、HCl浸取,所得溶液与滤液合并,测定溶液中Cr和Ti含量。方法检出限:P为0.022μg/mL,其它元素在0.0032～0.0085μg/mL之间,方法的精密度(n=7)在1.4%～2.9%之间。分析结果与分光光度法、XRF法和AAS法分析结果的相对误差:Ni、Cu、Co、Cr小于5%,Ti和Mn小于10%,Zn小于15%,Ca和P小于19%。     

Pre-concentration of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn using different off-line ion exchange procedures followed by the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric detection

The chelating resin Metalfix Chelamine and the strong cation exchanger Dowex 50W-X4 were studied for the off-line pre-concentration of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn prior to the measurements by the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Different approaches to the recovery of metals were investigated and compared: the elution with the solutions of HCl and HNO₃ and the decomposition of the resins with the adsorbed metals by means of the high-pressure microwave assisted system. Due to the problem arisen with the quantitative elution of the metals from the resins, which bound the analytes very strongly, the procedure of the digestion of the resin after the pre-concentration step was preferable to the plain elution, giving significantly better recoveries of the metals. The chosen procedure was applied for the determination of traces of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn in beer. For the analysis, mineralised and not mineralised beer samples were treated with Dowex 50W-X4 resin in order to assess the total content of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn and the fraction of the cationic labile species of the analytes, respectively. The increase in the sensitivity allowed determination of the selected metals at concentrations of order of 1 ng ml⁻¹. The accuracy of the entire procedure was verified by the recovery test in the spiked samples of beer. The proposed method provides full recovery for Cd (101±1%), Co (99±2%) and Zn (106±3%) and reasonably high recovery for Cu (84±1%) and Ni (89±1%).     

Multiple small volume microwave-assisted digestions using conventional equipment for multielemental analysis of human breast biopsies by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

A multiple microwave-assisted digestion procedure using small PTFE closed vials (6 mL capacity) inserted into conventional microwave digestion vessels has been developed as a fast, efficient and clean methodology for multielemental analysis of human breast biopsies by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. This small volume strategy allows drastically diminishing the volume of acid needed for digestion, and in turn, a decrease in sample dilution and an increase in sample throughput is achieved. A 2_IV^4-1 fractional factorial design was used for screening optimization of four variables that can influence the digestion efficiency: (A) nitric acid volume, (B) pre-digestion step, (C) microwave power, and (D) digestion time. A validation study included linearity, precision, detection and quantification limits. Validation against different biological certified reference materials (CRMs) was also performed.The digestion method is suitable for the determination of Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, S and Zn in small size biological samples such as breast biopsies (<30 mg dry mass). Forty-seven biopsies from 39 women were analyzed: 20 samples from healthy women corresponding to mammoplasties and 27 samples from patients suffering from cancer pathology (19 corresponded to tumour and 8 to adjacent normal tissue). A significant accumulation of Al, Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, P and Zn was found in tumour as compared to healthy tissues. When this comparison is made for tumour and adjacent tissues, a significant accumulation of Al, Mg, P and Zn in tumour tissues was observed. Finally, only Ca significantly accumulates in the adjacent tissues as compared to healthy tissues.     

Trace element determination using static high-sensitivity inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (SHIP-OES)

A low-flow air-cooled inductively coupled plasma (ICP) design for optical emission spectrometry (OES) with axial plasma viewing is described and an evaluation of its analytical capabilities in trace element determinations is presented. Main advantage is a total argon consumption of 0.6 L min⁻¹ in contrast to 15 L min⁻¹ using conventional ICP sources.The torch was evaluated in trace element determinations and studied in direct comparison with a conventional torch under the same conditions with the same OES system, ultrasonic nebulization (USN) and single-element optimization. A variety of parameters (x-y-position of the torch, rf power, external air cooling, gas flow rates and USN operation parameters) was optimized to achieve limits of detection (LOD) which are competitive to those of a conventional plasma source.Ionic to atomic line intensity ratios for magnesium were studied at different radio frequency (rf) power conditions and different sample carrier gas flows to characterize the robustness of the excitation source. A linear dynamic range of three to five orders of magnitude was determined under compromise conditions in multi-element mode. The accuracy of the system was investigated by the determination of Co, Cr, Mn, Zn in two certified reference materials (CRM): CRM 075c (Copper with added impurities), and CRM 281 (Trace elements in rye grass). With standard addition values of 2.44 ± 0.04 and 3.19 ± 0.21 μg g⁻¹ for Co and Mn in the CRM 075c and 2.32 ± 0.09, 81.8 ± 0.4, 32.2 ± 3.9 for Cr, Mn and Zn, respectively, were determined in the samples and found to be in good agreement with the reported values; recovery rates in the 98-108% range were obtained. No influence on the analysis by the matrix load in the sample was observed.     

Application of wavelet transform to background correction in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A background correction method based on wavelet transform was devised and applied to inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The proposed approach separated background from analyte signal according to their different frequencies. Compared with the analyte signal, the background has a low frequency. By removal of the components attributed to the signal, the background over the spectral window of the analyte line can be fitted through wavelet reconstruction. The results showed that the wavelet transform technique could handle all kinds of background and low signal-to-background ratio spectra, and required no prior knowledge about the sample composition, no selection of suitable background correction points, and no mathematical assumption of the background distribution. This technique performed as well as the conventional three-point background correction method for linear backgrounds, and provided better results than the latter for curved backgrounds. The proposed procedure was illustrated, by processing real spectra, to be an effective and practical tool for background correction in ICP-AES.     

电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法测定新购及再生铬矿砂中二氧化硅

新及再生铬矿砂经1000℃灼烧,研磨,以过氧化钠为熔剂,经高温熔融,热水洗涤,盐酸、硝酸酸化前处理样品,直接用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定铬矿砂中的二氧化硅。试验了熔融试样时引入的基体元素钠对被测元素的干扰情况,结果表明,过氧化钠加入为1.5克对检测干扰影响小。采用加基体铬、铁有效克服了基体效应对结果影响。硅的检出限为0.0049 mg/L, 二氧化硅测定范围为0.010%～6.0%。对铬矿砂标准物质进行测定,结果与标准值一致,方法精密度(RSD,n=10)小于1%。常规重量方法步骤繁琐、耗时长、工作量大的不足。本检测方法大大提高了检测效率,满足生产需要。     

Determination of trace amounts of lead, arsenic, nickel and cobalt in high-purity iron oxide pigment by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry after iron matrix removal with extractant-contained resin

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was applied to the determination of lead, arsenic, nickel and cobalt in high-purity iron oxide pigment. Samples were dissolved with hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The digest was passed through a column, which was packed with a polymer resin containing a neutral organophosphorus extractant, tri-n-butylphosphate. Iron was sorbed selectively on the resin and the analytes of interest passed through the column, allowing the effective separation of them from the iron matrix. Conditions of separation were optimized. The detection limits (3σ) in solution were 10, 40, 7 and 5 μg L⁻¹, and in pigment were 0.2, 0.8, 0.14 and 0.1 mg kg⁻¹ for lead, arsenic, cobalt and nickel, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 95% to 107% when sample digests were spiked with 5 μg of the analytes of interest, and relative standard deviations (n = 6) were 1.5-17.6% for the determination of the spiked samples. The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of these elements in high-purity iron oxide pigment samples.     

电感耦合等离子体-发射光谱分析中硫酸基体效应及抑制

研究了电感耦合等离子体-发射光谱分析中的硫酸基体效应及克服干扰的有效方法。对2%~20%范围内4种不同体积分数H2SO4溶液中30种元素的基体效应进行了观察,发现H2SO4对各元素的谱线发射强度均存在明显的抑制作用。实验证实体积分数5%乙酸可有效抑制H2SO4的基体效应,并建立了H2SO4溶液中痕量元素的电感耦合等离子体-发射光谱分析法。     

Determination of calcium, iron and magnesium in rabbit arteries by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Regional variations in arterial concentrations of Ca, Mg and Fe may influence susceptibility to atherosclerosis. However, investigation of such hypotheses requires the availability of a sensitive, reliable method for the determination of elements in small arterial samples. These biologically important elements are determined in rabbit arteries by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Arterial samples (aorta and iliac arteries) are collected from 4- and 6- to 7-month-old rabbits fed rabbit chow. Closed-vessel microwave acid digestion is used to prepare the samples. The accuracy of the method is tested with a NIST bovine liver (1577b) standard reference material, and the amount of each metal found is within the reported uncertainty in the certified concentration. Also, the recovery from artery samples spiked with 0.5 μg of each metal is nearly 100% (96-105% Ca, 93-105% Fe, and 92-104% Mg). The simultaneous multielement detection of Ca, Fe and Mg at levels more than 1000-fold higher than the detection limit, in arterial samples weighing as little as 5 mg, suggests that this method may be applicable to very small clinical samples or arterial samples from very small animals.     

酸溶-电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测定白云石和菱镁石中主次元素

利用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱仪( ICP-AES)建立白云石和菱镁石中铝、钙、铁、镁、锰、磷、硅、锶的测定方法。研究了酸体系、温度及消解方式对试样消解的影响,结果表明,使用5 mL盐酸和硝酸混合酸(1：3)-0.75 mL氢氟酸-5 mL水以密闭消解的方式在150 ℃下消解白云石和菱镁石30min,并以2mL饱和硼酸络合多余的氢氟酸,可以得到澄清消解液。通过白云石和菱镁石中铝、钙、铁、镁、锰、磷、硅、锶的谱线干扰情况,选择Al 308.215 nm、Ca 318.127 nm、Fe 261.187 nm、Mg 277.983 nm、Mn 257.61 nm、P 213.618 nm、Si 251.611 nm、Sr 421.552 nm作为分析线,各元素的校准曲线在线性范围内线性关系良好,相关系数均不小于0.999。按照实验方法测定白云石和菱镁石标准物质,各元素结果的相对标准偏差 (RSD, n=6)为0.89~3.19%,测定值与认定值无显著性差异。本方法有效解决了白云石和菱镁石快速有效溶解及准确测定问题。     

电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法测定高温合金中低含量钇

建立电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法测定高温合金中低含量钇的方法。采用盐酸、硝酸、氢氟酸溶解样品,在优化的仪器条件下,采用基体匹配法配制系列标准工作溶液,选择分析线为360.073 nm。钇的含量在0.0005%~0.050%范围内与光谱强度具有良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.99999,检出限为0.000003%。该方法测定结果的相对标准偏差不大于6.0%(n=8),加标回收率为90.0%~104.0%。该方法简便、快速、准确,可用于高温合金中低含量钇的测定。