Some fundamental measurements of the atmospheric-pressure,microwave-induced discharge

Measurements of several fundamental parameters in a microwave-induced atmospheric-pressure flowing plasma are presented. Optical and electrical measurements were performed on argon and argon/nitrogen plasmas in the region 1–7 cm outside the cavity, as the applied microwave power, and plasma composition were varied.The stability of the plasma, atomic emission from the argon support gas, and emission from the analyte species, are proportional to the electron density. The observed electron density was varied when the power was changed,-when an electrophilic species was added, and as the observation zone was moved relative to the microwave field. In all cases, the change in the emission signal followed the change in electron density.The electron temperature, as measured by the double-probe method, is related to the kinetic energy of the fastest-moving electrons in the plasma. It is unchanged by variations in power, plasma gas composition, flow rate, and is independent of the location of the probes relative to the cavity. The spectroscopic and electrical data are consistent with excitation by ion—electron radiative recombination.     

Supercritical fluid extraction / capillary supercritical fluid chromatography / Fourier transform infrared microspectrometry of polycyclic aromatic compounds in a coal tar pitch

The combination of supercritical fluid extraction, high resolution capillary supercritical fluid chromatography, and Fourier transform infrared microspectrometry is described for the separation and identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a coal tar pitch. The variable solvating power of the supercritical fluid was utilized to selectively fractionate the sample. The fluid extract was decompressed through a frit restrictor into the sample cavity of a cooled microvalve injector, where the analytes were deposited and concentrated for subsequent chromatographic analysis. Several of the analytes separated in the chromatograph were collected on a potassium bromide disc at a solvent elimination inter-face for subsequent infrared analysis involving the use of an infra-red microscope accessory. The spectra obtained show the power of this detection technique for distinguishing between isomers.     

Some observations on the development of a gas chromatographic microwave plasma ionization detector

A novel gas chromatographic microwave plasma ionization detector (MPID) has been developed. The detector is based on the ionization of analyte caused by microwave plasma or the ionization quenching of microwave plasma by the analyte. The detector is simple in construction and can be operated without dangerous gas. It responds with high sensitivity to various kinds of chemical species that can be treated by GC. The sensitivities to 39 chemical species were shown to be in the range of 10⁻¹¹ − 10⁻⁷ g/sec.     

Some spatial effects observed in the axially viewed filament argon microwave induced plasma with solution nebulization

Spatial profiles of analyte emission in an axially viewed argon filament microwave induced plasma sustained in the TE₁₀₁ rectangular cavity have been measured along a discharge tube cross-section for neutral atoms as well as ion lines of several elements. The filament diameter was approximately 1 mm. The analyte solution was introduced by means of an ultrasonic nebulizer without desolvation. The radial emission distribution depends on the operating parameters and is different for each of the analytes examined. Spatial distributions of excitation temperature (4000–6000 K) measured with Ar I lines by the Boltzmann plot method as well as electron temperature (6000–8000 K) by line to continuum emission ratio measurements at Ar I 430 nm and electron number density (1–1.5×10¹⁵ cm⁻³) by the Stark broadening method of the H_β line were determined to support the evidence of plasma processes. In the presence of excess sodium the enhancement of emission intensity and its shift to the plasma center appears to be the result of increased analyte penetration to the plasma. Changes in spatial emission profiles for Ca atoms and ions suggest that for this element ambipolar diffusion may be important as an additional interference mechanism. A possibility of minimizing spectral interferences from argon emission lines by choosing an off-axis plasma region for emission intensity measurements is indicated.     

Improvements of the cylindrical TM010 cavity for an atmospheric pressure microwave-induced plasma

This note describes some technical improvements to facilitate the operation of a cylindrical TM₀₁₀-cavity used to generate a microwave induced plasma at atmospheric pressure. By improving the frequency tuning, the impedance matching and the microwave power coupling of the cavity, it becomes possible to sustain plasmas under widely different conditions with a single cavity.     

微波辅助在线分离富集Cd的初步研究

以７１７阴离子树脂为在线分离富集的柱填充材料,用微波等离子体炬原子发射光谱法（ＭＰＴ－ＡＥＳ）测定Ｃｄ,研究了施加微波对分离富集的影响。实验结果表明,施加微波明显有利于富集和脱过程,使Ｃｄ的发射强度明显增大。     

微波诱导低级醇的等离子体化学反应

微波诱导低级醇的等离子体化学反应王真，洪品杰，张承聪，戴树珊（云南大学化学系，昆明，６５００９１）关键词微波，等离子体化学，低级醇等离子体能产生大量的活性自由基、亚稳态粒子和激发态离子，它所包含的能量传递过程和反应过程不仅与反应碰撞理论有关，而且还涉...     

Matrix effects of easily ionizable elements and nitric acid in high-power microwave-induced nitrogen plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Matrix effects of Na, Ca and nitric acid in high-power microwave-induced nitrogen plasma atomic emission spectrometry were investigated with a number of atomic and ionic lines covering a wide range of energies. The plasma was sustained in an Okamoto cavity at atmospheric pressure by using nitrogen as the plasma gas as well as the nebulizer gas. Most of the atomic lines tested exhibited enhancement effects and all of the ionic lines gave suppression effects in the presence of Na and Ca. The effects decreased with increasing microwave power. There was good correlation between matrix effects, the excitation energy and energy sum of the spectral lines. The lower the excitation energy for atomic lines and the higher the energy sum for ionic lines, the stronger the matrix effects. Unlike Na and Ca, nitric acid showed suppression effect for all of the spectral lines and the effect was independent of the energy of the spectral lines and the microwave power. The effect of matrix on the excitation temperature and the electron number density was measured and the mechanism of matrix effect was discussed.     

Single-cell analysis by electrochemical detection with a microfluidic device

A novel electrochemical method with a microfluidic device was developed for analysis of single cells. In this method, cell injection, loading and cell lysis, and electrokinetic transportation and detection of intracellular species were integrated in a microfluidic chip with a double-T injector coupled with an end-channel amperometric detector. A single cell was loaded at the double-T injector on the microfluidic chip by using electric field. Then, the docked cell was lysed by a direct current electric field strength of 220 V/cm. The analyte of interest inside the cell was electrokinetically transported to the detection end of separation channel and was electrochemically detected. External standardization was used to quantify the analyte of interest in individual cells. Ascorbic acid (AA) in single wheat callus cells was chosen as the model compound. AA could be directly detected at a carbon fiber disk bundle electrode. The selectivity of electrochemical detection made the electropherogram simple. The technique described here could, in principle, be applied to a variety of electroactive species within single cells.     

Large volume, low discrimination GC injection into a modified splitless injector

Summary A standard GC split/splitless injector was sealed with an airlock. The carrier gas and the sample were introduced through this valve. Such a configuration efficiently prevents an injector overflow. Injections up to 50 μL were made. An almost quantitative analyte and solvent transfer was observed, with only a minimal discrimination, of even volatile analytes. The use of an early vapor exit permitted a high initial liner flow and therefore a fast sample transfer.     

Microwave sputtering of conductors and insulators for optical emission and mass spectrometry

A microwave-powered slab-line cavity was used to excite a discharge in low pressure argon or neon and to demonstrate the sputtering of conducting and non-conducting samples by a microwave excited discharge. Both optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry were used as detection systems. The dependence of the signals on gas pressure and net microwave power was investigated.     

Microwave sputtering of conductors and insulators for optical emission and mass spectrometry

A microwave-powered slab-line cavity was used to excite a discharge in low pressure argon or neon and to demonstrate the sputtering of conducting and non-conducting samples by a microwave excited discharge. Both optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry were used as detection systems. The dependence of the signals on gas pressure and net microwave power was investigated.     

Investigation of the species-specific degradation behaviour of methylmercury and ethylmercury under microwave irradiation

The degradation behaviour of methylmercury (MeHg) under microwave irradiation is investigated, as is the (different) degradation behaviour of ethylmercury (EtHg) under similar irradiation. A simple and highly sensitive SPME-GC-pyrolysis-AFS system was used to analyse the aqueous MeHg and EtHg standard solutions after derivatization with sodium tetraphenylborate (NaBPh₄). Samples were irradiated in a microwave digester at microwave powers ranging from 20 to 160 W for durations of 2 to 10 min. The different tolerances towards microwave treatment of the two organomercury species were evident. Practically no degradation was experienced for MeHg for up to 8 minutes of irradiation at 120 W or for up to 4 minutes at 160 W. Significant analyte loss was observed for EtHg after 2 minutes at 40 W of microwave power. Awarded a Poster Prize on the occasion of the European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, February 2005, Budapest, Hungary     

微波诱导甲烷在活性炭/碳化硅上直接转化制C2烃

 在高功率脉冲微波辐照下甲烷可在常压条件下在活性炭/碳化硅和活性炭碳化硅等 三种催化剂上直接转化为C2烃。研究结果表明,当使用合适的微波作用条件时,微波加热与微波 等离子协同作用可使甲烷在多孔碳化硅担载的活性炭催化剂上以很高的转化率和选择性直接转化为乙炔,除单独的微波加热诱导作用和微波等离子催化作用外,转移反应机制可能是微波加热与微波等离子交互作用的具体表现形式,对促进甲烷向乙炔直接转化起了重要作用。     

微波等离子体诱导聚乙烯表面接枝甲基丙烯酸甲酯

聚乙烯（ＰＥ）通常作为性能优良的薄膜材料被广泛使用,但由于其表面能低,导致表面亲水性差,粘结性弱,染色性能、印刷性能等很不理想［１,２］．在高分子材料的各种表面改性方法中,接枝共聚是一种很有效的途径［３～５］．本文探讨了用微波冷等离子体激活聚乙烯表面...     

Optical emission spectroscopy with a microwave-induced plasma in a sealed microtube

A microwave system is used to induce a plasma inside a sealed microtube containing a sample or standard, and the emission from the analyte is measured. The detection limits are about 4 ng for S, Cl and Br, and 100 ng for Cd and Sn, in approximately 30-mul samples. Both gaseous and liquid samples can be analysed.     

Effective energy coupling for 200-Mhz pulsed radiofrequency spectroscopic discharges

The introduction of various new radiofrequency electrical discharges has placed increased emphasis on circuit design which provides optimal energy transfer between a generator and its corresponding spectroscopic “load”. This technology is well developed for high-frequency (ca. 27 MHz) inductively-coupled plasma discharges and for cavity discharges which operate in the microwave region (e.g., 2450 MHz). The 200-MHz very high frequency (VHF) region has received less attention. New circuitry is described which allows effective transfer of high power (5-kW), pulsed (2.5-μs), VHF (200-MHz) energy into a plasma suitable for analytical purposes. A triple-stub tuner is used in this circuitry. Comparison with other approaches and applicability to a variety of discharge systems are discussed.     

Considerations in the design of a microwave induced plasma utilizing the TM010 cavity for optical emission spectroscopy

A procedure is presented to determine the resonant frequency shift of the TM₀₁₀ cavity when dielectric material (the plasma discharge tube) is inserted. This allows convenient adjustment of the cavity diameter to yield a resonance frequency near 2.450 GHz when the plasma is ignited.The design of a unique plasma discharge tube is presented. This discharge tube utilizes a tangential plasma support gas flow (He or Ar) to generate a suspended plasma discharge which does not touch the wall of the discharge tube. The resulting discharge has superior spatial and temporal stability compared to previously reported plasma discharges.The use of TM₀₁₀ resonant cavities having 2 and 3 cm internal thicknesses is discussed. These cavities result in physically longer plasmas providing greater analyte residence times and enhanced analytical performance. Results with and without prior aerosol desolvation are presented.     

Resolution of infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry using glycerol; enhancement with a disperse laser beam

Some experimental factors affecting the resolution in glycerol infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (IR-MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry were investigated. Loading the sample inside a cavity covered with a grid was found to improve the resolving power as reported previously, although not to the extent attainable in UV-MALDI using the same instrument. The resolving power improved as the laser spot area at the sample position got larger, becoming almost comparable with that in UV-MALDI when the spot area was a little larger than the cavity size. Reduced concentration of the ablated materials in the acceleration region with the use of the grid and large irradiation area may be responsible for the enhanced resolution. In addition, the threshold laser fluences measured in this work were lower than those reported in the literature and tended to decrease more rapidly as the irradiation area increased than predicted previously. The implication of similar threshold fluences for matrix and analyte ions is discussed in relation to the analyte ion formation mechanism.     

Application of hydrocyanic acid vapor generation via focused microwave radiation to the preparation of industrial effluent samples prior to free and total cyanide determinations by spectrophotometric flow injection analysis

A sample preparation procedure for the quantitative determination of free and total cyanides in industrial effluents has been developed that involves hydrocyanic acid vapor generation via focused microwave radiation. Hydrocyanic acid vapor was generated from free cyanides using only 5 min of irradiation time (90 W power) and a purge time of 5 min. The HCN generated was absorbed into an accepting NaOH solution using very simple glassware apparatus that was appropriate for the microwave oven cavity. After that, the cyanide concentration was determined within 90 s using a well-known spectrophotometric flow injection analysis system. Total cyanide analysis required 15 min irradiation time (90 W power), as well as chemical conditions such as the presence of EDTA–acetate buffer solution or ascorbic acid, depending on the effluent to be analyzed (petroleum refinery or electroplating effluents, respectively). The detection limit was 0.018 mg CN l⁻¹ (quantification limit of 0.05 mg CN l⁻¹), and the measured RSD was better than 8% for ten independent analyses of effluent samples (1.4 mg l⁻¹ cyanide). The accuracy of the procedure was assessed via analyte spiking (with free and complex cyanides) and by performing an independent sample analysis based on the standard methodology recommended by the APHA for comparison. The sample preparation procedure takes only 10 min for free and 20 min for total cyanide, making this procedure much faster than traditional methodologies (conventional heating and distillation), which are time-consuming (they require at least 1 h). Samples from oil (sour and stripping tower bottom waters) and electroplating effluents were analyzed successfully.