Statistical evaluation of the performance of a new programmed-scan monochromator for multielement determinations by atomic emission

The reproducibility of a programmed-scan monochromator with stationary dispersion optics was evaluated by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA). The spectrometer used an optical multiplexer coupled with glass-fiber optic light-guides to a multiple entrance-slit spectrometer employing a photomultiplier as the detector. With this spectrometer, 15 emission intensity measurements at the lithium resonance line wavelength (670.7 nm) were collected for five rotations of the optiplexer mirror under four different emission situations: flame background emission at 670.7 nm, lithium emission from an acetylene-air flame in the absence of an ionization buffer, lithium emission from an acetylene-air flame in the presence of an ionization buffer, and tungsten lamp emission at 670.7 nm. For all four situations, the ANOVA results showed that instrumental changes which occurred during mirror rotation in the optiplexer were a significant source of signal variation compared with factors not associated with mirror rotation, i.e., photon shot noise, source fluctuation noise, and electronic drift. The actual magnitude of the signal variability introduced during mirror rotation, however, was found to be quite small, producing an average relative standard deviation of only 0.76% for the signal.     

Some characteristics of an intensified photodiode array spectrometer system for use in plasma emission spectrometry

A 1024-element silicon photodiode array with a microchannel plate image intensifier was coupled to a Czerny-Turner spectrometer and basic characteristics of the spectrometer system were studied using an Hg lamp, a hollow cathode lamp and a d.c. argon plasma as emission sources. The intensifier proved to be useful to enhance signals without increasing the electronic background. The signal to dark current ratio of the cooled photodiode array was larger than that of a photomultiplier (HTV R457) in the wavelength region above 380 nm. Effects of entrance slit width, integration time per scan and intensifier gain on signal to background ratios and signal to noise ratio are presented and optimum conditions for emission measurements using the system are described.     

Comparative study on the analytical performance of three waveforms for the determination of several aminoglycoside antibiotics with high performance liquid chromatography using amperometric detection

A preliminary comparative study was carried out on the analytical performances of a new six-potential waveform and other two detection waveforms, triple-potential waveform and quadruple-potential waveform. The analytical performances compared included signal response, background noise, signal/noise ratio and signal stability. Compared with triple-potential waveform and quadruple-potential waveform, the new six-potential waveform had higher signal response, signal/noise ratio, and sensitivity. As for determination reproducibility, the six-potential waveform also exhibited a slightly better performance than the other two waveforms. Under the selected experimental conditions based on the six-potential waveform, there is a linear correlation between peak area and concentration over two to three orders of magnitude for nine aminoglycoside antibiotics with a correlation coefficients better than 0.998 and the detection limits measured as three times the peak height signal-to-noise ratio for the nine aminoglycoside antibiotics were in the range of 0.0198-0.889 microg/mL. The proposed method had been used to analyze real gentamicin sulphate drug sample.     

Capacitive Discharge Graphite Furnace Laser-Excited Atomic Fluorescence of Thallium

For the first time, an anisotropic graphite furnace heated by capacitive discharge was used for laser-excited atomic fluorescence spectrometry. A detection limit of 5 fg for thallium was obtained with a laser repetition rate of 500 Hz and a peak integration time of 80 ms. The use of a capacitive discharge furnace allows for a shorter integration time, which in turn should allow for integration of less background noise, and improved detection limits. Theoretically, the magnitude of the shot noise should be proportional to the square root of the integration time, and inversely proportional to the square root of the laser repetition rate. Experimental data illustrated the effect of laser repetition rate, but were inconclusive with respect to integration time. The linear dynamic range of the calibration curve was six orders of magnitude, which was comparable to that normally obtained for laser-excited atomic fluorescence in modern commercial graphite furnaces. Thallium was accurately determined in NIST biological samples at levels one to two orders of magnitude below the detection limit of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, with an analytical precision between 8 and 20%. The interference effects of calcium, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride on the thallium signal were investigated and shown to be similar to both laser-excited atomic fluorescence in a conventional furnace and capacitive discharge furnace atomic absorption results reported in the literature.     

An argon-ion laser fluorometer optimal for concentration detection of 5-bromomethyl fluorescein derivatized carboxylic acids

A continuous wave, argon ion laser-induced fluorescence detector was designed for use with conventional high performance liquid chromatography. Palmitic acid was selected as a model analyte to evaluate the performance of the detector. Using the intense 488.0 nm emission line, a concentration detection limit of 7.5 × 10^–10 M (38 femtomoles on-column) was established for palmitic acid at a signal to noise ratio of three. The linear dynamic range extended over two orders of magnitude with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The contribution of scattered radiation to the analytical signal was minimal. The concentration detection limit achieved with the constructed laser fluorometer was superior to other reports for fatty acids.     

First-derivative solid-phase spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum at the ng ml(-1) level

Derivative spectrophotometry was applied to solid-phase spectrophotometry in order to enhance its sensitivity and remove the large background noise caused by the absorption of the resin layer itself, and avoid the necessity of preparing a blank. The determination of micro-amounts of molybdenum (at the ng ml(-1) level) with pyrocatechol violet to form a 11 blue complex in acid medium, which is fixed on a dextran-type anion-exchange resin (Sephadex QAE-A-25), is described as an example of the application of this technique. The absorbance of the resin, packed in a 1 mm spectrophotometric cell, was measured directly. The characteristic peak amplitude of the signal at 716 nm in the first-derivative spectra is useful for quantitative determination of molybdenum (2-8 ng ml(-1); RSD = 4, 30%) in natural and industrial water samples, plant tissues and soil extracts.     

Effect of pH on the reaction of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(III) with amino-acids: Implications for their detection

A new technique for the detection of amino-acids is described, which is based on their chemiluminescence reaction with tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(III). The pH-dependence of this reaction has been investigated and found to be the key experimental parameter in application of this reaction as a detection technique. The chemiluminescence emission obtained is maximal at pH values higher than the N-terminal amino group pK(a) of the amino-acid. The background reaction between the ruthenium reagent and hydroxide ion does not occur with the same efficiency as the amino-acid reaction and the optimum signal to noise ratio is obtained at pH 10. A limit of detection of 30 picomole was found for valine and the response was shown to be linear over two orders of magnitude.     

A new detection system for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy based on an acousto-optical tunable filter coupled to a photomultiplier: Application for manganese determination in steel

The development of a new detection system for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), based on a collinear quartz acousto-optical tunable filter (AOTF) for the ultraviolet spectral region coupled to a photomultiplier, is described. It was used in conjunction with a 1064 nm, 5 ns pulse duration neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser source and also employed a radio-frequency signal generator to control the AOTF and a digital delay generator to delay the start of the detection in relation to the instant of the application of the laser pulse. The detection system was optimized for highest detectivity for the manganese peak at 293.9 nm while analyzing a steel sample by LIBS. The resulting signal to background ratio at the optimal conditions of 2 µs delay time, 40 µs integration time gate and 110 mJ pulse energy was similar to that of a commercial echelle-intensified charge-coupled device (echelle-ICCD) detection system. The new detection system was then employed for manganese determination in steel samples, taking the emission signals at just 15 wavelengths, 5 related to the above mentioned manganese peak, another 5 to background emission around 296.0 nm and the others to the iron peak at 297.3 nm (internal standard). The resulting analytical curve for manganese, obtained using 5 samples in the concentration range of 0.214 to 0.939% w/w, presented a correlation coefficient of 0.979 for an exponential regression function. The relative errors of predicting the manganese concentrations, using the calibration curve, for 2 samples, containing 0.277 and 0.608% w/w, were 20.7 and − 1.9%, respectively.     

A Miniature Glow Discharge for Laser Excited Atomic Fluorescence Detection of Lead

A miniature glow discharge atom reservoir has been designed for laser excited atomic fluorescence spectrometric measurements of nanoliter-sized solution residues. A copper vapor laser pumped dye laser was used to measure the fluorescence of Ph atoms sputtered from the Ni cathode of the discharge. Excitation of Pb occurred at 283.3 nm, and fluorescence was monitored at 405.8 nm. The optimal discharge operating pressure and current were 5.5 Torr and 20 mA with continuous fill gas introduction. No improvement was found in S/N with stop flow versus flowing operation; however, considerable improvement in the S/N was achieved when gated peak integration, in contrast to peak detection, was employed. The temporal profiles indicated that the Pb atoms were rapidly sputtered from the surface of the cathode and that a high percentage of these atoms diffused back toward the cathode. The redeposition of the Pb atoms led to peak tailing with signals lasting more than 60 s. In effect, atoms were sputtered, atomized, and excited several times during a measurement. The limit of detection for Pb was 0.6 pg based on peak detection and 0.03 pg based on peak area measurements. These detection limits were several orders of magnitude higher than the theoretical, intrinsic detection Limit due to the interfering background emission of molecular impurities, such as N₂ and H₂O, present in the discharge.     

Enantioselective micellar electrokinetic chromatography of dl‐amino acids using (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)‐ethyl chloroformate derivatization and UV‐induced fluorescence detection

Chiral analysis of dl ‐amino acids was achieved by micellar electrokinetic chromatography coupled with UV‐excited fluorescence detection. The fluorescent reagent (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate was employed as chiral amino acid derivatizing agent and sodium dodecyl sulfate served as pseudo‐stationary phase for separating the formed amino acid diastereomers. Sensitive analysis of (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate‐amino acids was achieved applying a xenon‐mercury lamp for ultraviolet excitation, and a spectrograph and charge‐coupled device for wavelength‐resolved emission detection. Applying signal integration over a 30 nm emission wavelength interval, signal‐to‐noise ratios for derivatized amino acids were up to 23 times higher as obtained using a standard photomultiplier for detection. The background electrolyte composition (electrolyte, pH, sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration, and organic solvent) was studied in order to attain optimal chemo‐ and enantioseparation. Enantioseparation of 12 proteinogenic dl ‐amino acids was achieved with chiral resolutions between 1.2 and 7.9, and detection limits for most derivatized amino acids in the 13–60 nM range (injected concentration). Linearity (coefficients of determination > 0.985) and peak‐area and migration‐time repeatabilities (relative standard deviations lower than 2.6 and 1.9%, respectively) were satisfactory. The employed fluorescence detection system provided up to 100‐times better signal‐to‐noise ratios for (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate‐amino acids than ultraviolet absorbance detection, showing good potential for d ‐amino acid analysis.     

Application of a rapid scanning plasma emission detector and gas chromatography for multi-element quantification of halogenated hydrocarbons

A microwave induced plasma emission detector is used as an element-selective detector for gas chromatography. The spectrometer, which is fitted with a rapid scanning galvanometer mirror, is used to scan a pre-selected spectral window to provide information in the multi-element mode. This information is used to determine the per mole response of some elements as a function of molecular structure. Despite the low microwave powers employed, the response per mole appears to be independent of the molecular structure. Detection limits and linear dynamic ranges are determined by narrowing the spectral coverage to increase the sensitivity. Calibration curves are linear over several orders of magnitude and detection limits are at the pg/sec levels.     

电荷注入检测器—端视等离子体原子发射光谱中分析动态范围

实验研究了电荷注入检测器－端视电感耦合等离子体光谱中分析动态范围，测量了ＡＬ，Ｂ、Ｂｅ，Ｃｄ，Ｃｕ，Ｃｏ，Ｆｅ，Ｌｉ，Ｓｒ，Ｖ，Ｋ，Ｓｒ等１２个元素的不同光谱级次的４４条分析工作曲线。结果表明，分析范围为４－５个数量级，无明显自吸收，Ｌｏｍａｋｉｎ公式的自吸收系数ｂ＝１，说明在ＣＩＤ－ＡＶＩＣＰ光谱中有较宽的分析动态范围 。     

Signal-to-noise considerations for rapid scan atomic spectrometry with an inductively coupled plasma

The blank photon flux from an ICP is measured with a conventional 1-m spectrometer for the spectral region from 200 to 450 nm. This flux is then used to calculate the minimum integration time required before quantum noise (shot noise from the photon flux) becomes significant under various conditions. The calculations demonstrate that blank integration times may be much shorter than the times spent integrating either samples or standards without degradation of the total measurement. Comparison to extrapolated values for a high resolution spectrometer configuration indicate that minimum integration times requirements will vary drastically with wavelength, slit width and spectrometer configuration. The data demonstrates that integration times may be as short as l ms under certain circumstances indicating that very rapid scan data acquisition is feasible for ICP-AES if done with intelligent interactive control.     

Determination of arsenic and antimony by microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry coupled with hydride generation and a PTFE membrane separator

The performance of a microwave plasma torch (MPT) discharge atomic emission spectrometry (AES) system directly coupled with hydride generation (HG) for the determination of As and Sb has been studied. The argon MPT system can sustain a stable plasma over a wide range of carrier and support gas flow rates with optimum performance at 250 and 1450 ml min⁻¹, respectively. The presence of trace amount of water in the MPT discharge is found to affect the detection limits and the signal to noise ratio. A PTFE membrane separator is applied for hydride introduction and water rejection. In addition, the membrane cell separator also improves the signal to noise ratio by serving as a pressure buffer to minimize noise due to pressure fluctuation. Detection limits (3σ) of 8.1 and 3.2 ng ml⁻¹ are obtained with the analytical lines As I 228.812 nm and Sb I 259.809 nm, respectively at an MPT power of 135 W. The detection limits are improved when a concentrated sulfuric acid cell is placed after the membrane cell to further remove water. This double cell system yields detection limits of 5.3 and 2.1 ng ml⁻¹ for As and Sb, respectively under the same operating conditions. Linear dynamic ranges of three orders of magnitude could be obtained.     

Prediction of precision from signal and noise measurement in liquid chromatography: Mathematical relationship between integration domain and precision

Summary The precision of integration over noisy instrumental output for quantitative analysis is studied. A probability theory is developed to predict the relative standard deviation (RSD) of integration results over an integration domain from one-point integration (peak height measurement) to entire area integration in HPLC. Common integration modes of horizontal zero line and oblique zero line are taken into account, but no peak overlap is assumed. The question of the analytical superiority of peak height measurement or integration for quantitation is answered. In the HPLC apparatus used, the minimum RSD of measurements is found in the integration domain of ca. ±0.5 σ for analytes [peaks are approximated by the Gaussian signal of width, σ (standard deviation)]. The RSD of integration measurements is also shown to depend on the stochastic properties of background noise (uncorrelated noise and correlated 1/f type noise). The theoretical conclusion is verified by Monte Carlo simulation and HPLC experiments for some aromatic compounds. Second Part of series cited as Ref. [1].     

An inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometer for elemental analysis. Part III: Analytical performance

A time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) was evaluated as a mass analyzer for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The long-term drift of signals was in the range of 7–8% relative standard deviation, whereas the short-term precision was between 5 and 20%, somewhat worse than is typically reported for commercial ICP-MS instruments (5%). However, precision can be improved considerably in the TOFMS by ratioing isotopic peaks or through internal standardization, a consequence of its ability to extract all measured ions simultaneously from the inductively coupled plasma. This feature was demonstrated by monitoring the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁸Pb ratio with boxcar averagers. In this ratioing mode, precision was improved to approximately 0. 5%. Detection limits were measured with two alternative signal processing systems: (1) discriminator-gated integration and (2) integration of digitized spectra. Both methods improved the signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of from 10 to 100, although detection limits were still 1–2 orders of magnitude poorer for most elements than from the best commercial ICP-MS instruments. The dynamic range of the discriminator-gated integration system is over 4 orders of magnitude, but can be extended to 10⁶ with planned increases in primary ion-beam current, which is currently 10–100 times lower than is found in other instruments. Virtually simultaneous multielement and multiisotope analysis is possible for masses from ⁷Li to ²⁰⁹Bi with minimal mass bias and detection limits on the 0. 4–2-ppb level.     

Quantitative Characterization of the Molecular Absorption Spectra in the Ultraviolet Region by Gas Chromatography

The aim of this study was to obtain quantitative characteristics of the ultraviolet absorption spectra as the molecular absorptivity at the wavelength of maximum absorbance. Organic as well as inorganic compounds were explored. A gas chromatography—ultraviolet absorption instrument has been used in the quantitative study of molecular ultraviolet absorption spectra in the vapour phase. The wavelength range studied was between 168 and 330?nm. The absorbance of 170 compounds was determined relative to perchloroethylene and their molecular absorptivities were calculated. For various groups of compounds, these relative absorptivities varied within two to three orders of magnitude. Standard curves were linear within four orders of magnitude from limit of quantification up to an absorption value of 1.5 absorbance units. The noise level was 3?×?10^?5 absorbance units peak to peak at a bandwidth of 1.7?nm and a wavelength range from 180 to 330?nm was preferred. The detection limit for mesitylene was calculated to be 2 pg/s and for naphthalene 1 pg/s with 4?s store cycle time.     

Optimization of experimental parameters for the determination of mercury by MIP/AES

A system using a microwave induced plasma, as an emission source was optimized for total mercury determinations. The system contains a flow injection section in which mercury is reduced and deposited on a gold/platinum collector, and carried to the emission source. The microwave was generated in a Surfatron cavity. An experimental design was applied to optimize parameters concerning plasma conditions, amalgamation, desorption and mercury vapor generation. The limit of detection of the method was 14 pg ml(-1) of mercury, using peak area mode while LDs was 1.3 pg ml(-1) using peak height mode, with a 2% RSD and a linear dynamic range of almost three orders of magnitude. The accuracy was assessed using a certified reference material of atmospheric particulate National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 2704. No significant difference at 95% confidence level was observed between the certified value and our result.     

LOW COST DIGITAL SPECTRORADIOMETER*

Abstract— A self-made low cost digitized single beam spectroradiometer is described. It is designed and calibrated to measure spectral radiant intensities in one nanometer steps for bandwidths between 1 and 20 nm within the wavelength range 200–1100 nm. The voltage output of the photoelectric detector-system is proportional to the logarithm of the received irradiance and so constant signal resolution is gained over more than three orders of radiant intensities. Raw data recording and processing is done by a common 8 bit microcomputer, programmed in Microsoft Basic. Scanned emission spectra of a far-red fluorescent lamp and a long arc xenon discharge lamp are presented and compared to manufacturer's data. In addition, the emission spectrum of a blue fluorescent tube has been determined to test for photometric aptitude. In this context the integral irradiances have been both measured and calculated for three radiometric sensors of defined spectral responsivities, indicating reliability of the instrumentation.     

Quantitative analysis of small pharmaceutical drugs using a high repetition rate laser matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization source

In this work, a high repetition rate laser matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) source is studied on a quadrupole-time-of-flight (QqTOF) and a triple quadrupole (QqQ) mass spectrometer for rapid quantification of small pharmaceutical drugs. The high repetition rate laser allows an up to 100-fold higher pulse frequency as compared with regular MALDI lasers, resulting in much larger sample throughput and number of accumulated spectra. This increases the reproducibility of signal intensities considerably, with average values being around 5% relative standard deviation after taking into account the area ratio of the analyte to an internal standard. Experiments were conducted in MS/MS mode to circumvent the large chemical background due to MALDI matrix ions in the low mass range. The dynamic range of calibration curves on the QqTOF mass spectrometer extended over at least two orders of magnitude, whereas on the QqQ it extended over at least three orders of magnitude. Detection limits ranged from 60-400 pg/microL on the QqTOF and from 6-70 pg/microL on the QqQ for a series of benzodiazepines. The benzodiazepine content of commercial pill formulations was quantified, and less than 5% error was obtained between the present method and the manufacturer's certified values. Furthermore, a high sample throughput was achieved with this method, so that a single MALDI spot could be quantitatively scanned in as little as 15 s, and an entire 96-well MALDI plate in 24 min.