Non-chromatographic atomic spectrometric methods in speciation analysis: A review

In recent years, knowledge of the different chemical forms of the elements has gained increasing importance. There has been significant progress in methods that hyphenate chromatographic separations with atomic spectrometry. These hyphenated methods can provide the most complete information on the species distribution and even structure. However, they can be lengthy, relatively costly and difficult to bring to the routine. On the other hand, it is important to remember that chromatographic techniques represent only a minor part of the separation procedures available and, in certain cases, the application of basic chemistry to sample treatments can give quantitative information about specific chemical forms. In this sense, non-chromatographic procedures can provide methods that offer sufficient information on the elemental speciation for a series of situations. Moreover, these non-chromatographic strategies can be less time consuming, more cost effective and available, and present competitive limits of detection. Thus, non-chromatographic speciation analysis continues to be a promising research area and has been applied to the development of several methodologies that facilitate this type of analytical approach. In view of their importance, the present work overviews and discusses different non-chromatographic methods as alternatives for the speciation analysis of clinical, environmental and food samples using atomic spectrometry for detection.     

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.     

On-line sample processing involving microextraction techniques as a front-end to atomic spectrometric detection for trace metal assays: A review

Within the last decade, liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) and micro-solid phase extraction (μSPE) approaches have emerged as substitutes for conventional sample processing procedures for trace metal assays within the framework of green chemistry. This review surveys the progress of the state of the art in simplification and automation of microextraction approaches by harnessing to the various generations of flow injection (FI) as a front end to atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry or mass spectrometry (ICP-AES/MS). It highlights the evolution of flow injection analysis and related techniques as vehicles for appropriate sample presentation to the detector and expedient on-line matrix separation and pre-concentration of trace levels of metals in troublesome matrices. Rather than being comprehensive this review is aimed at outlining the pros and cons via representative examples of recent attempts in automating green sample preparation procedures in an FI or sequential injection (SI) mode capitalizing on single-drop microextraction, dispersive liquid-phase microextraction and advanced sorptive materials including carbon and metal oxide nanoparticles, ion imprinted polymers, superparamagnetic nanomaterials and biological/biomass sorbents. Current challenges in the field are identified and the synergetic combination of flow analysis, nanotechnology and metal-tagged biomolecule detection is envisaged.     

Separation and preconcentration procedures for the determination of lead using spectrometric techniques: a review

Lead is recognized worldwide as a poisonous metal. Thus, the determination of this element is often required in environmental, biological, food and geological samples. However, these analyses are difficult because such samples contain relatively low concentrations of lead, which fall below the detection limit of conventional analytical techniques such as flame atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Several preconcentration procedures to determine lead have therefore been devised, involving separation techniques such as liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, coprecipitation and cloud point extraction. Citing 160 references, this paper offers a critical review of preconcentration procedures for determining lead using spectroanalytical techniques.     

Determination of cadmium, lead, iron, nickel and chromium in selected food matrices by plasma spectrometric techniques

In the frame of a study aimed at investigating the transfer of metal contaminants through the food chain and the effects of food processing, five elements, namely Cd, Pb, Fe, Ni and Cr, were accurately determined in (i) durum wheat grain and derived products, (ii) wheat-based reference materials, (iii) drinking water, used both as an ingredient and for technological purposes in the investigated industrial process. Microwave closed vessel digestion was selected as the dissolution technique for solid samples, whereas water samples were acidified with ultrapure nitric acid and analysed directly. As several analytes had to be quantified at trace or ultratrace levels, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was resorted to for analytical determinations. Overall, this straightforward analytical approach enabled to detect the often small changes in element concentration associated with the different technological steps of processing. Nevertheless, detection of heavily interfered elements, especially Cr, as well as analyte quantification at ultratrace-level level in water, posed analytical challenges that required suited analytical solutions.Changes in the sample introduction system and complementary use of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) straightforwardly overcame the difficulties in determining the analytes in the selected food matrixes. The benefits of ultrasonic nebulization in reducing the effects of problematic spectral interferences were demonstrated. Overall, a robust and high-throughput analytical method was outlined.     

Comparative study of microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry as gas-chromatographic detectors for the determination of methylmercury in biological samples

In order to attain a lower detection limit with the HS GC MIP analytical method (Head-Space Gas Chromatography with Microwave-Induced Plasma detection) recently developed for the analysis of methylmercury in biological samples, the quarter-wave Evenson-type cavity used until now was replaced by a TM₀₁₀ Beenakker-type cavity, which was used with both argon and helium as carrier gas. With an argon plasma, an eightfold increase in detection limit was gained compared with the argon plasma sustained by the Evenson cavity, while only a four-fold increase was gained with the helium plasma. In a second step of the study, the MIP detector was replaced by an AFS (atomic fluorescence) detector (CVAFS Model-2, Brooks Rand Ltd, Seattle, USA). With this AFS detector a detection limit of 1 ng methyl mercury per g biological tissue could be reached; i.e. measurements were 40 times more sensitive than those using the Evenson cavity. This detector has some other advantages compared with MIP detection: it is less expensive and easier to manipulate, while the same precision and accuracy are obtained. The use of AFS as detector in the headspace gas chromatographic system is therefore an important improvement for the analysis of methyl-mercury in biological samples.     

Combined use of atomic spectrometric methods in the analysis of rocks

Standard reference materials of limestone, granite and argillite were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XFS), flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS and G-AAS), and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The major elements Al, Ca, Fe, Si and Ti were determined by XFS and ICP-AES. The relative standard deviations (RSD) of the concentrations of the corresponding oxides obtained by XFS and ICP-AES were (1.36±0.51)% (n=18) and (1.30±0.70)% (n=17), respectively, on the average. The relative deviations (RD) from the certified values were (1.29±3.01)% (n=18) and (–0.69±5.48)% (n=14), respectively, on the average. The numbers in parentheses are the numbers of the single RSD- and RD-values used for the calculation of the averages and the relative standard deviations. Some minor and trace elements of the standard reference materials were determined by G-AAS and ICP-AES. The precision (RSD) was markedly better in the case of ICP-AES. On the other hand, the accuracy (RD) of both methods was about the same (7%). Apparently, the precision and the accuracy are primarily determined by the measuring technique and the sample pretreatment procedure, respectively. The analytical power of the combined use of atomic spectrometric methods is also discussed.     

无滤共沉淀富集-等离子体原子发射光谱法测定痕量稀土元素

以编结反应器 (KR)作为反应场所,用NH3～NH4NO3缓冲溶液在线沉淀、富集,电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)检测稀土元素,系统地研究了稀土元素在线沉淀及溶解的最佳条件.实验结果表明:在80 ℃时,稀土离子与pH 9.0的NH3～NH4NO3缓冲溶液在线混合后经2 m KR富集120 s,用1 mol/L HNO3以1.0 mL/min流速洗脱时富集效果最好,富集倍数可达52～76倍,进样频率为10/h.同时考察了共存离子的干扰及其消除方法.方法的稀土元素的检出限为0.07～1.23 μg/L,精密度RSD在1.7%～4.3%之间(n=6),线性范围2～10 μg/L.应用于标准样品中痕量稀土元素的测定,其测定值与标准值吻合.     

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric determination of 27 trace elements in table salts after coprecipitation with indium phosphate

The coprecipitation method using indium phosphate as a new coprecipitant has been developed for the separation of trace elements in table salts prior to their determination using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Indium phosphate could quantitatively coprecipitate 27 trace elements, namely, Be, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, in a table salt solution at pH 10. The rapid coprecipitation technique, in which complete recovery of the precipitate was not required in the precipitate-separation process, was completely applicable, and, therefore, the operation for the coprecipitation was quite simple. The coprecipitated elements could be determined accurately and precisely by ICP-AES using indium as an internal standard element after dissolution of the precipitate with 5 mL of 1 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid. The detection limits (three times the standard deviation of the blank values, n = 10) ranged from 0.001 μg (Lu) to 0.11 μg (Zn) in 300 mL of a 10% (w/v) table salt solution. The method proposed here could be applied to the analyses of commercially available table salts.     

Ultrasound-assisted emulsification of cosmetic samples prior to elemental analysis by different atomic spectrometric techniques

In this work, ultrasound-assisted emulsification with a probe system is proposed as a rapid and simple sample treatment for atomic spectrometric determinations (Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) of trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sr and Zn) in cosmetic samples such as shampoos, gel (hair gel), crèmes (body milk, hair conditioner) and oil (body oil). The type of dispersion medium, the sample mass-to-dispersion medium volume ratio, as well as the parameters related to the ultrasound-assisted emulsification (sonication amplitude and treatment time) were exhaustively studied. Only 1 min of ultrasonic shaking and a dispersion medium containing 0.5% (w/v) of SDS + 3% (v/v) of HNO₃ or HCl allows obtaining a stable emulsion at least for 3 months. Thermal programs, nebulization of emulsions, speed of pumps and concentration of reagents used in cold vapour generation were optimized. Calibration using aqueous standards was feasible in all cases. Calibration by the standard addition method and recovery studies was also applied for validation. Microwave-assisted digestion and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry were used for comparison purposes. Relative standard deviations from analysis of five independent emulsions were less than 9% in all cases.     

A multiple-reaction-monitoring mass spectrometric method for simultaneous quantitative analysis of five plasma apolipoproteins

A multiplexed targeted proteomic assay using a mTRAQ-MRM/MS-based approach was developed and assessed to systematically quantify the relative expressions of five candidate plasma apolipoproteins that have been previously shown to be dysregulated in neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive dysfunction:apolipoprotein H(APOH),apolipoprotein J(APOJ),apolipoprotein A4(APOA4),apolipoprotein E(APOE),and apolipoprotein D(APOD).The peptides and transitions of each APO were carefully selected according to the tandem MS signals acquired on a TripleTOFTM 5600,followed by optimization of the declustering potential and collision energy voltages for transitions on a QTRAP 5500.Our results showed that the collision energies of mTRAQ-labeled peptides were approximately 15%–20%higher than corresponding non-labeled peptides.Through optimized transitions and parameters,we analyzed the relative abundances of the five APOs in human plasma with and without depletion of high abundant proteins.The results indicated that the MRM signals of four target APOs were significantly increased after depletion,while the MRM signal of one APO,APOD,was decreased.Furthermore,the relative abundances of the five target APOs in healthy human plasma were stable,and the ranking of these proteins according to their MS responses changed slightly.Therefore,we deduced that the rank order of the MS signals for these target proteins can be developed as a diagnostic signature for diseased plasma.     

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。     

Electrolytic sample pretreatment in atomic spectrometry: A review

The use of electrolysis in analytical atomic spectrometry is reviewed. Topics such as electrodeposition for analyte enrichment, electrochemical sample pretreatment and hydride generation are discussed. The use of batch and flow-through electrochemical cells is compiled and critically evaluated. Flow-through cells with porous working electrodes were found to provide the best performance for analyte enrichment.     

Direct analysis of glass powder samples by radio frequency glow discharge atomic emission spectrometry (rf-GD-AES)

A method is described for the elemental analysis of glass powder samples by rf-GD-AES. Glass powder samples were pressed without binder to form sample disks. A brass sample holder was designed to hold the pellet onto the source and provide a good vacuum seal. Sample preparation conditions and particle sizes are shown to influence spectral characteristics and plasma stabilization times. The discharge operating parameters were optimized based on both raw analyte signal intensity (S) and signal-to-background ratio (S/B), the latter was found more useful in terms of sample-to-sample precision and quantification. A NIST Standard Reference Material (SRM 89 Lead-Barium Glass) was used to evaluate the method. The limits of detection for trace components ranged from 1–10 g/g for several elements, depending on the concentrations of the analytes in the SRM. Sample-to-sample reproducibilities were better than 10% RSD and linear calibration curves were obtained using either the Si (I) optical emission as an internal standard or the individual analyte's S/B characteristics.     

Preconcentration and atomic spectrometric determination of rare earth elements (REEs) in natural water samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

The usage of a variety of sorbents has been shown as promising matrix removal/preconcentration strategies for the determination of rare earth elements (REEs) in various natural water samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The sorption efficiency of various zeolites (clinoptilolite, mordenite, zeolite Y, zeolite Beta), ion-exchangers (Amberlite CG-120, Amberlite IR-120, Rexyn 101, Dowex 50W X18) and chelating resins (Muromac, Chelex 100, Amberlite IRC-718) towards REEs was investigated in terms of solution pH, shaking time and sorbent amount. The results have shown that most of the materials can take up REEs at a wide pH range. The experiments were continued with clinoptilolite, zeolite Y and Chelex 100 and it was demonstrated that all three materials displayed very fast kinetics for REE sorption (higher than 96% in 1 min). Desorption from the sorbents was realized with 2.0 M HNO₃ for clinoptilolite and 0.1 M HNO₃ for zeolite Y and Chelex 100. Only the lower concentration range (0.01-2.0 mg l⁻¹) of matrix-matched standards were used in quantitation although the calibration graphs were linear at least up to 10.0 mg l⁻¹ for all REEs studied. The limit of detection (3 s) without preconcentration was 0.1, 1.0, and 0.2 μg l⁻¹ for Eu, La, and Yb, respectively. The validity of the method with the selected sorbents was checked through spike recovery experiments.     

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.     

Optimized microwave-assisted decomposition method for multi-element analysis of glass standard reference material and ancient glass specimens by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A novel microwave-assisted wet-acid decomposition method for the multi-element analysis of glass samples using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was developed and optimized. The SRM 621 standard reference glass material was used for this purpose, because it has similar composition with either archaeological glass specimens or common modern glasses. For the main constituents of SRM 621 (Ca, Na, Al, Fe, Mg, Ba and Ti), quality control data are given for all the examined procedures. The chemical and instrumental parameters of the method were thoroughly optimized. Thirteen acid mixtures of hydrochloric, nitric, and hydrofluoric acids in relation to two different microwave programs were examined in order to establish the most efficient protocol for the determination of metals in glass matrix. For both microwave programs, an intermediate step was employed with addition of H₃BO₃ in order to compensate the effect of HF, which was used in all protocols. The suitability of the investigated protocols was evaluated for major (Ca, Na, Al), and minor (Fe, Mg, Ba, Ti, Mn, Cu, Sb, Co, Pb) glass constituents. The analytes were determined using multi-element matrix matched standard solutions. The analytical data matrix was processed chemometrically in order to evaluate the examined protocols in terms of their accuracy, precision and sensitivity, and eventually select the most efficient method for ancient glass. ICP-AES parameters such as spectral line, RF power and sample flow rate were optimized using the proposed protocol. Finally, the optimum method was successfully applied to the analysis of a number of ancient glass fragments.     

电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法（ICP-AES）测定RoHS指令聚合物中的铅和镉

本文引入微波技术消解聚合物塑料样品,使用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱仪（ICP-AES）测定聚合物中的铅（Pb）和镉（Cd）含量,并建立了优化的样品消解程序和测定方法,得到满意的测定结果。[摘要应包括目的、方法、结果、结论,请修改,同时修改英文]该方法具有效率高、污染小的优点。检测结果具有良好的精密度。     

Fundamental and applied investigations in plasma-source mass spectrometry for elemental analysis

The current status of plasma source-mass spectrometry (PS-MS) is reviewed. An overview of interference effects that exist, alternative plasma sources available, and mass spectrometer interface studies is provided. A discussion of current and future development areas in plasma source mass spectrometry is also included.     

Determination of boron in boron-alloyed steels by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

An inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) procedure has been developed and examined for the determination of boron content (0.01 up to about 2% B) in boron-alloyed steels such as POLDI ATA BOR (65% Fe, 19%Cr, 12% Ni, 1.5% Mn, 1% B), POLDI ATA BOR EXTRA (62% Fe, 18% Cr, 13% Ni, 2.5% Mo, 1.5% Mn, 1% B) and POLDI ATA BOR-R (75% Fe, 18% Cr, 3.5% Ti, 1.8% B). The steel sample is dissolved with a mixture of hydrochloric, nitric, sulfuric and phosphoric acids in a quartz vessel. Borides of alloyed metals, especially of iron and chromium, are quantitatively decomposed. The presence of phosphoric acid in a sample solution reduces the volatility of boric acid with water vapour.Presented in part at the 1989 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Reutte, Austria