Evaluation of an ultrasonic nebulizer-membrane separation interface (USN-MEMSEP) with ICP-AES for the determination of trace elements by solvent extraction

The introduction of volatile organic solvents and metal organic complexes into an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is problematic due to overloading and pyrolysis effects. These include carbon built up in the torch and spectral interferences. As a consequence, solvent extraction as a method for preconcentrating trace metals for the determination by ICP has been limited. In this report a commercial ultrasonic nebulizer-membrane separation interface (USN-MEMSEP) for the direct introduction and separation of organic solvents using ICP atomic emission spectrometry (AES) and a sequential spectrometer has been evaluated for solvent extraction of chelated trace metals. The ability of the MEMSEP to separate volatile organic flows from metal aerosols has been demonstrated by determining the recoveries of several transition metals in an oil-based methyl-isobutyl ketone (MIBK) standard relative to an aqueous solution. However, low recoveries of several metal chelates have been found evidently due to the volatilization of the organic metal species at the boiling point of MIBK (160° C). Moreover, the multielement capability and limits of detection have been limited due to sequential atomic emission detection. Advantages of the technique include enhanced limits of detection (LODs) and reduced plasma and spectral interferences.     

有机试液的电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱分析 Ⅰ.实际应用的若干方面

本文从七个方面介绍了ICP-AES在有机试液直接分析中的应用:(1) 油类样品分析;(2) 酒样直接分析;(3) 溶剂萃取分离富集-ICP光谱分析;(4) 基于生成挥发性金属有机化合物的ICP进样方法;(5) 有机试液分析中的其它进样方法;(6) 有机介质中非金属元素的ICP-AES测定;(7) ICP-AES作为色谱法的检测器。     

Comparative Efficiencies of Trace Metal Extraction from Municipal Incinerator Ashes

Abstract

Five laboratory solvent extraction methods for the determination of leachable trace metals from municipal incinerator fly and bottom ashes are evaluated. The trace elements of interest were cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese and lead. Five different extractants, 0.1NHCl, 1.0 N ammonium acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), chloroform and hexane were used on each ash to determine comparative extraction efficiencies.

Extraction efficiencies of the five solvents were determined based on total metal concentration, and were found to rank in the following order: 0.1NHCl<1.0N ammonium acetate < MIBK < chloroform < hexane. No one solvent was optimal for obtaining environmentally available values for all five metals. The inorganic solvents, 0.1NHCl and 1.0N ammonium acetate, exhibited higher removal of trace metals from ash particles relative to the organic solvents. Manganese concentrations were removed more efficiently by 0.1NHCl, whereas 1.0 N ammonium acetate was more efficient for removing copper concentrations. Cadmium, Cr, and Pb could effectively be extracted by either of the two inorganic solvents. Concentrations of trace metals extracted from refuse ash appeared to be a function of the elemental boiling point and the species that exist on combustion. However, the classification of elements for refuse ash in this study strayed somewhat from the traditional geochemical classification scheme into which coal ash is placed.     

Modification and optimization of a 50 MHz inductively coupled argon plasma with special reference to analyses using organic solvents

The torch and nebulizer of an existing argon ICP system were modified and the system was (re-) optimized for aqueous and organic liquids. The paper describes the design considerations and construction of(1) a new, streamlined torch including a torch base used in this study, where a demountable rather than a prealigned version of the torch was preferred;(2) a cross-flow pneumatic nebulizer with adjustable teflon capillaries including a spray chamber with flow spoiler, concentric aerosol pick-up tube, and “U” tube with unequal legs to smooth the flow of wasted liquid to the drain.The (re)-optimization of the ICP system for analysis of aqueous solutions with inorganic matter or with both inorganic and organic matter is discussed in the light of earlier work in this laboratory regarding the selection of “compromise conditions” and the choice of representative spectral lines and measurement criteria for establishing such compromise conditions. In this context the authors consider the concepts of norm temperature and “hard” and “soft” lines, as well as recent results of measurements of spatial distributions in ICPs. The authors further describe experiments aimed at the optimization of the operating conditions of an “organic ICP” using methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as organic solvent. Trends of net line and background signals and signal-to-background ratios with the ICP parameters (power; outer, intermediate and carrier gas flow; observation height; liquid feed rate) are reported, and a rational choice of compromise conditions for the ICP is argued.Performance characteristics of the modified ICP system, such as detection limits, precision and interference level, achieved under compromise conditions, have been communicated in a previous report [Spectrochim. Acta36B, 1031 (1981)] to demonstrate the capabilities of the system for analysis of aqueous solutions. Detection limits in MIBK and oil diluted in MIBK are reported in the present work as an illustration of the performance of the system when used for organic liquid analysis.     

In-situ vaporization and matrix removal for the determination of rare earth impurities in zirconium dioxide by electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

A novel method for the determination of trace rare earth impurities in ZrO₂ powder has been developed based on electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. A polytetrafluoroethylene slurry was used as a fluorinating reagent to convert both the matrix (Zr) and the analytes (rare earth elements) into fluorides with different volatilities at a high temperature in a graphite furnace. The more volatile ZrF₄ was removed in-situ by selective vaporization prior to the determination of the analytes, removing matrix spectral interferences. Under optimum operating conditions, the absolute detection limits of the analytes varied from 0.04 ng (Yb) to 0.50 ng (Pr) with relative standard deviations less than 5%. The recommended approach has been successfully applied to the determination of trace rare earth impurities (La, Pr, Eu, Gd, Ho and Yb) in ZrO₂ powder and the results were in good agreement with those obtained by pneumatic nebulization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry after the separation of the matrix using a solvent extraction procedure.     

On-line extraction of metal ions using liquid-liquid segmentation and a membrane type phase separator for fluorescence detection

Summary A liquid segmented post-column reaction system has been used to extract metal ions from an aqueous eluent into an organic solvent for fluorescence detection. The metals Zr(IV), Ga(III), Sc(III), Y(III), In(III), Al(III), La(III), Zn(II), Cd(II), Ca(II) and Mg(II) have been isocratically separated on a C₁₈ column by virtue of the secondary chemical equilibrium established by an eluent containing n-octanesulfonate, tartaric acid, and hydroxyisobutyric acid. The chelating reagent 8-hydroxyquinoline dissolved in methylisobutyl ketone (MIBK) was used to extract the metals and a membrane type phase separator was effective at separating the phases and directing the organic stream to the detector. The response for this detection approach was linear for metal ion concentrations spanning the range of the detector, and detection limits for most metals were low parts-per-billion (ppb). Band broadening for the extraction system was examined and compared to a direct post-column reaction using oxine dissolved in acetone.     

Determination of chromium (III) using a homogenous mixture of water-ethanol-methylisobutylketone solvents

The use of organic solvents to increase metal ion determination sensitivity by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with flame is quite common. The most employed organic solvent is 4-methyl-2-pentanona (methylisobutylketone, MIBK) which optimizes sample vaporization and combustion. In this work, we present the use of a homogeneous mixture of water-ethanol—MIBK solvents (1:14:10 v/v, respectively), named the single-phase solution instead of employing pure organic solvents to determine chromium (III) ions by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with flame. The analytical calibration curve in single-phase solution evaluated up to 8 μg ml⁻¹ was linear and was described as Abs=0.0048 C_Cr(III)-0.0010 (r²=0.9998). Stability in the measurement as well as an increase in sensitivity more than twice as high when compared to determinations exclusively made in aqueous solutions were observed. The exactness of the determinations was evaluated with the same steel standards.     

Iminodiacetic acid/ethylcellulose as a chelating ion exchanger : Part 1. Determination of trace metals by atomic absorption spectrometry and collection of uranium

A chelate-forming ion exchanger, iminodiacetic acid/ethylcellulose, is used for the separation of trace metals from waters and different organic solvents. Added uranium was collected from sea waters with recoveries of about 97%. Graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and solution spectrophotometry were used to quantify the metals. For the direct determination of trace metals in waters by the graphite-furnace method, a simple matrix-matching method is described. The detection limit for cadmium was 0.1 μg l^?1 and for lead 1 μg^?1 in drinking water.     

The determination of trace metals in lubricating oils by atomic spectrometry

The determination of trace metals in lubricating oils using atomic spectrometric methods is reviewed. The importance of such analyses for technical diagnostics as well as the specific sample characteristics related to the analyte form (metallo-organic and metal particles) is discussed. Problems related to sample pre-treatment for appropriate sample introduction and calibration are addressed as well as the strategies to overcome them. Recent trends aimed at simplifying sample manipulation are presented. The applications and scope of AAS, ICP OES and ICP MS techniques for the determination of trace metals in lubricating oil is individually discussed, as well as some present instrumental trends.     

Geoanalysis using plasma spectrochemistry – milestones and future prospects

Highlights of plasma spectrochemistry in geoanalysis are reviewed. The techniques are evaluated in terms of recent instrumental developments, calibration strategies, spectral and matrix interferences and analytical performance. While acid decomposition results in solutions containing low salt contents, this decomposition strategy is inappropriate for numerous sample types due to poor recoveries. On the other hand, alkali fusions result in total decomposition, but solutions containing high salt contents constrain the accuracy due to interference effects in the inductively coupled plasma (ICP), the sample introduction system, and in the quadrupole mass spectrometer interface. Therefore, practical limits of determination are evaluated in terms of salt tolerances. It is concluded that ICP-atomic emission spectrometry (AES) is employed mainly for the accurate determination of the major and minor elements and the more abundant trace elements. On the other hand, ICP-mass spectrometry (MS) is used mainly for the determination of trace elements and together with the possibility of obtaining some isotopic information, it profoundly enhances the capability for solving geochemical problems. Several methods of direct solid sample introduction are described. These include direct current (DC) arc emission spectroscopy (DC-AES), slurry nebulization (SN), spark ablation (SA), laser ablation (LA) and glow discharges (GD). These devices allow direct solid analysis of bulk samples, single minerals and inclusions.     

Detection of nitro musks in human fat by capillarv gas chromatography with atomic emission detection (AED) using programmed temperature vaporization (PTV)

Atomic emission detection (AED) has been successfully applied to the determination of nitro musks in the fat of human adipose tissue by gas chromatography at trace concentration levels. Element specific detection with the AED combined with a clean-up procedure for nonpolar substances makes target screening analysis for lipophilic nitro aromatic compounds possible for the first time. The lack of sensitivity, especially in the AED nitrogen and oxygen trace, was compensated by higher concentration of the extracts and injection of larger sample volumes performed by cold programmed temperature vaporization (PTV) in the solvent split mode. The combination of the superior quantification properties of the atomic emission detector with large sample volume introduction makes the quantification of nitro musks down to the ppb level possible. All five nitro musks investigated exhibit linear dynamic ranges going down close to instrumental limits of detection. Moreover, organochlorine compounds could be sensitively detected in the same sample extract by the AED chlorine trace without any interferences from coeluting matrix compounds.     

ICP-AES直接测定氯化稀土中稀土元素

以电荷耦合器件为检测器的ＩＣＰ－ＡＥＳ光谱仪直接测定了混合稀土中的十五种稀土元素。考察十五种稀土元素的五十余条灵敏线的谱图,分析稀土元素之间的干扰并选取了合适的分析线,利用多组分谱图拟合方法扣除了空白及稀土元素间的谱线干扰,试验了最佳的溶液酸度及仪器工作参数,方法回收率为９８．４％￣１０１．７％,相对标准偏差小于２％。     

小功率空气冷却电感耦合等离子体发射光谱的研究 Ⅱ.碱金属和碱土金属分析特性

本文测定了碱金属、碱土金属九个元素48条谱线在空气冷却ICP中的信背比和检出限,并同全氩ICP的检出限进行了比较。本工作还测绘了各元素灵敏线与9个常见共存元素的光谱重叠扫描图,以了解可能存在的光谱干扰。     

Organic solvent load of inductively coupled argon plasmas as a function of the liquid uptake rate and the inner gas flow rate

Solvent plasma loads of nine solvents, including water, have been determined for a wide range of nebulization conditions. The measurements were accomplished by making use of the so-called “continuous weighing method”. In addition, the tolerance of medium power inductively coupled plasmas (ICP) to solvent loading has been established. The organic solvents studied were selected on the basis of their significance for direct ICP analysis of organic solvent solutions using atomic emission spectrometry. The results show that the solvent saturation vapour pressure governs the solvent plasma load, whereas the evaporation factor dominates the distribution of the solvent over the liquid and vapour phase at the exit of the spray chamber.     

Determination of trace elements in metals by atomic absorption spectrometry with introduction of solid samples into furnaces: An appraisal

The determination of trace elements in metals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with introduction of solid samples into furnaces has been reviewed from the first paper in 1965 until the present day. The need for this type of analysis is considered along with other analytical techniques that can provide useful information. Early developments up to 1975 are presented and discussed but the main emphasis is on work undertaken during the past five years. Information is provided on homogeneity of samples, methods of calibration, accuracy, precision and limits of detection to show that this technique is the most convenient available for the determination of volatile trace elements in metals at concentrations less than 10 μg g⁻¹.     

A novel method through solid phase extraction combined with gradient elution for concentration and separation of 66(ultra)trace persistent toxic pollutants in Antarctic waters

This study developed a method to perform the simultaneous concentration and selective separation of66(ultra) trace persistent toxic substances in Antarctic waters. The substances included 30 polychlorinated biphenyls, 17 organochlorine pesticides, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 3hexabromocyclododecanes. Solid phase extraction was performed using a C18 membrane and silica gel column. Gradient elution was conducted using organic solvents with different polarities; as a result, the efficiency of the C18 film is improved and the interferences from impurities and target compounds are eliminated. Extracts were subsequently analyzed through gas chromatography or liquid and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Method validation yielded the following values:recoveries of all target analytes in the Antarctic water ranged from 87.3% to 117.6% and reproducibility as percent relative standard deviation was lower than 5%. Quantification limits ranged from 0.004 mg L 1[2_TD$IF]to0.030 mg L 1. The established method improved the recoveries and reduced the limits of detection.Results indicated the method exhibited good performance in the simultaneous concentration and selective separation of 66(ultra) trace organic pollutants; Therefore, the proposed sample pretreatment can potentially eliminate the effects of various classes of impurities to some extent.     

Temperature-controlled headspace liquid-phase microextraction device using volatile solvents

A novel temperature-controlled headspace liquid-phase microextraction (TC-HS-LPME) device was established in which volatile solvents could be used as extractant. In this device, a PTFE vial cap with a cylindrical cavity was used as the holder of the extraction solvent. Up to 40 μl of extraction solvent could be suspended in the cavity over the headspace of aqueous sample in the vial. A cooling system based on thermoelectric cooler (TEC) was used to lower the temperature of extractant in PTFE vial cap to reduce the loss of volatile solvent during extraction process and increase the extraction efficiency. The selection of solvents for HS-LPME was then extended to volatile solvents, such as dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and acetone. The use of volatile extraction solvents instead of semi-volatile solvent reduced the interference of the large solvent peak to the analytes peaks, and enhanced the compatibility of HS-LPME with gas chromatograph (GC). Moreover, the use of larger volume of extractant solvent increases the extraction capacity and the injection volume of GC after extraction, thus improving detection limits. Several critical parameters of this technique were investigated by using chlorobenzenes (CBs) as the model analytes. High enrichment factors (498–915), low limits of detection (0.004–0.008 μg/L) and precision (3.93–5.27%) were obtained by using TC-HS-LPME/GC-FID. Relative recoveries for real samples were more than 83%.     

Optimization of a matrix solid-phase dispersion method with sequential clean-up for the determination of alkylphenol ethoxylates in biological tissues

A modified Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion (MSPD) method with sequential clean-up has been developed to isolate and purify alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) and alkylphenols in biological tissues. Elution profile, sequential clean-up adsorbent and experimental set up were optimized. Octadecylsilica was used as the solid-phase for matrix dispersion. Methanol was found to be the optimal eluting solvent for APEs. Aluminium oxide was quite efficient for removing the coeluting interferences. Quantitative analysis was done by reversed-phase HPLC with fluorescence detection. The optimized procedure was applied to analyze both fish and mussel samples. Average recoveries for all spiked tissue samples were greater than 90%. Typical limits of detection amount to tens of ppbs on a wet weight basis.     

Determination of rare-earth elements by high-performance liquid chromatography/inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry

Liquid chromatography coupled on-line to a sequential ICP/AES system is applied for the determination of 14 rare-earth elements (REEs) in samples with widely different concentrations of REEs and matrix elements. The REEs are separated on a cation-exchanger by applying an α- hydroxyisobutyric acid gradient. The determination limits were the same as those obtained by continuous nebulization of single-element standard solutions. The chromatographic separation precludes mutual spectral interferences between the REEs. The practical value of the method developed is demonstrated by the determination of REE impurities in Specpure rare-earth oxides, by its demonstrated potential to evaluate real spectral interferences, and by the analysis of geological samples (natural phosphates) with relatively low total REE contents. The detection limits of REEs in these natural phosphates ranged between 0.005 and 0.4 μg g^?1.