Three-dimensional modelling of the analyte dynamics in electrothermal atomizers for analytical spectrometry: influence of physical factors

A computer model has been developed that allows the calculation of the three-dimensional distributions of free atoms and condensed particles inside tube-type electrothermal atomizers. This model is a numerical solution of the three-dimensional diffusion equation written with the appropriate boundary conditions. The proposed model takes the following geometrical and physical factors into account: real tube geometry of an atomizer provided with a dosing hole, analyte vaporization, the size of the region occupied by the sample prior to atomization, three-dimensional analyte diffusion in a non-isothermal furnace environment, and its gas phase (homogeneous) condensation at the cooler parts of the atomizer. The physical processes that take place in electrothermal atomizers are common to all analytes and are the background against which chemical processes take place. Silver was used as the test element for modelling because Ag is a relatively inert element in electrothermal atomization, for which physical processes can be expected to dominate over chemical processes. Imaged representations of the calculated three-dimensional distributions of free Ag atoms and condensed Ag micro-droplets within Perkin-Elmer HGA-type atomizers are given. The imaged representations show that, even for a relatively inert element such as silver, the distribution of atoms in electrothermal atomizers is quite non-homogeneous.     

Feasibility of filter atomization in high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry

A prototype spectrometer for high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS), built at ISAS Berlin, Germany, was combined with a graphite filter atomizer (GFA), earlier developed at TUT, Pretoria, South Africa. The furnace and auto-sampler units from a commercial AA spectrometer, model AAS vario 6 (Analytik Jena AG, Jena, Germany), were employed in the instrument. Instead of conventional platform tube, the GFA was used to provide low measurement susceptibility to interferences and short determination cycle. The GFA was modified according to the design of the furnace unit and optimal physical parameters of its components (filter and collector) found. Afterwards, optimal GFA was replicated and tested to outline analytical performances of the HR-CS GFA AA spectrometer in view of prospects of multi-element analysis. In particular, reproducibility of performances, repeatability of analytical signals, lifetime, temperature limit and duration of the measurement cycle were examined, and elements available for determination justified. The results show that the peak area of the atomic absorption signal is reproduced in various GFA copies within ± 4% deviation range. The GFA can stand temperatures of 2800 °C with 6 s hold time for 55 temperature cycles, and 2700 °C (8 s) for about 200 cycles. Only the external tube is prone to destruction while the filter and collector do not show any sign of erosion caused by temperature or aggressive matrix. Analytical signals are affected insignificantly by tube aging. Repeatability of the peak area remains within 1.1–1.7% RSD over more than hundred determination cycles. Peak areas are proportional to the sample volume of injected organic and inorganic liquids up to at least 50 μL. The drying stage is combined with hot sampling and cut down to 15–20 s. The list of metals available for determination with full vapor release includes Al, Co, Cr, Ni, Pt as well as more volatile metals. Characteristic masses at optimal atomization temperature are close to or slightly better than those found in HR-CS AAS with PIN-platform tubes. In addition, fast sequential determination of multiple elements and truly simultaneous determination of Cd, Fe and Ni using nearby analytical lines were performed with the GFA controlled by a single temperature program and an atomization temperature of 2700 °C.     

Tungsten coil devices in atomic spectrometry: absorption, fluorescence, and emission.

In this work, tungsten coil (W-Coil) devices are used as atomizers for electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS), electrothermal atomization laser excited atomic fluorescence spectrometry (ETA-LEAFS), and electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ETV-ICP-AES). For most cases in ETAAS and ETA-LEAFS, limits of detection (LODs) using the W-Coil are within a factor of ten of those observed with commercial graphite furnace systems. LOD for Cd by W-Coil AAS is 10 pg, while LODs for As, Se, Cr, Sb and Pb by W-Coil LEAFS are 950, 320, 1400, 330, and 160 fg, respectively. The compact W-Coil device makes it an ideal atomizer for portable atomic spectrometry instrumentation, especially when coupled with a miniature charge coupled device spectrometer. Alternatively, the atomizer can be used as an inexpensive, modular add-on to an existing commercial ICP-AES system; and the thermal separation of Pb with interference elements Al, Mn, and Fe is demonstrated.     

Experience of designing and using crucible electrothermal atomizers for the atomic absorption analysis of solid samples

More sophisticated electrothermal graphite atomizers for solid samples on the basis of single-chamber crucibles (and rods) can be designed to solve problems of the determination of trace rare elements by atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Two- and three-chamber models of atomizers consist of vertically arranged and independently heated graphite blocks, such as crucibles, rods, cylinders, and cells (block-modular design principle). The atomizers are multipurpose and specialized for solving analytical problems through the suppression of the effect of matrix components and the separation/preconcentration of the analytes directly in the working volume.     

Development of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry in 2005–2016

The review covers publications of 2005–2016 on achievements in the development of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The main directions in the authors’ opinion are revealed, i.e., (1) improvements of the method and equipment and (2) studies of thermochemical processes in a graphite furnace. In the first group, the authors consider high- and low-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry, diode laser atomic absorption spectrometry, new designs of electrothermal atomizers, and new devices for ETAAS. Studies of mechanisms of element atomization, formation of analytical signals, and action of chemical modifiers belong to the second group.     

Untersuchungen zur bestimmung seltener erden durch atomabsorption mit elektrothermischer atomisierung

The determination of rare earths by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomizationThe electrothermal atomization of traces of rare earths has been investigated with different atomizers (carbon rod, graphite furnace, tantalum ribbon). The best analytical results are obtained with a modified tantalum thermal atomizer, because the formation of rare earth carbides is then impossible. Mixed argon—hydrogen atmospheres improve the concentration of atoms in the plasma, because hydrogen reduces the rare earth oxide radicals. The optimal analytical conditions are described. The detection limits are: 25 pg Yb, 22 pg Eu, 62 pg Tm, 2000 pg Sm, 300 pg Ho, 300 pg Dy, 1300 pg Er.     

Electrothermal atomization—the way toward absolute methods of atomic absorption analysis

Considering the currently prevailing opinion that electrothermal atomizers are very susceptible to matrix interferences, an opinion which is contradictory to the optimistic forecasts of the first publications, the general status of the problem to date has been investigated.The first part of the paper deals with the ideal models of the two basic types of electrothermal atomizers, viz., those of the semi-enclosed and those of open type. The graphite cuvette and the Massmann furnace have been selected for discussion in their two commercial versions—the HGA and the CRA—of the first type of atomizers; the West filament and the combined atomizers—rod-in-flame and capsule-in-flame—of the second type. The models describing the distribution of atoms in the absorbing zone have been compared and the data obtained have been used to interpret the experimentally observed differences in the sensitivity of real atomizers.The second section of the paper discusses the conformity of real atomizers relative to ideal models and to the requirement of correctly recording the absorption by means of integrating the pulses. A marked time and space non-isothermality of the commercial atomizers has been established which makes it impossible to measure the integral absorption correctly. The graphite cuvette and the combined atomizers best meet the requirements of the ideal models. On the basis of the data obtained, the possible ways of bringing the semi-enclosed atomizers closer to ideal models have been explored. In this connection, the possibility of using a graphite platform for vaporizing samples in tube furnaces as well as using the temperature-controlled furnace and the pulse heated graphite furnace with a capacitance power supply has been examined. The application of the last method ensures time and space isothermality of the absorbing layer and reduces by 10–100 times the electric power input.The third section of the paper examines the thermochemical laws governing the possible chemical effects arising from the interaction between the analytes, on the one hand, and the furnace walls, the gaseous atmosphere and the matrix, on the other. A critical review has been carried out of the results of some recent publications on investigation of sample vaporization in graphite furnaces, which reveals the fact that the temperature of absorption appearance is rarely connected with the heat of vaporization of the free element. In most instances it is determined by the sum of the heat of decomposition of the non-volatile carbide and the heat of vaporization of the free element. Thermochemical examination of the stability of the compounds formed in the gaseous phase revealed the fact that besides forming monoxides, there is the possibility of forming monocyanides. In addition, the presence of large quantities of halogens causes partial binding of the analyte as gaseous monohalides, mainly monochlorides. In order to eliminate the latter effect, it has been suggested to employ higher atomization temperatures or to bind chlorine in a stable lithium monochloride. The efficiency of the proposed methods has been tested by experiment.Our research has shown that the main reasons for the unsatisfactory status of the problem concerning the matrix effects, are connected with the use of the amplitude (peak) method of recording the absorption, with the time and space non-isothermality of the absorbing layer of the commercial atomizers, and with the formation of gaseous monohalides. All these problems may be eliminated on the basis of theoretically proved and tested methods, some of which are discussed in this paper.     

A Thermo-Chemical Reactor for analytical atomic spectrometry

A novel atomization/vaporization system for analytical atomic spectrometry is developed. It consists of two electrically and thermally separated parts that can be heated separately. Unlike conventional electrothermal atomizers in which atomization occurs immediately above the vaporization site and at the same instant of time, the proposed system allows analyte atomization via an intermediate stage of fractional condensation as a two stage process: Vaporization → Condensation → Atomization. The condensation step is selective since vaporized matrix constituents are mainly non-condensable gases and leave the system by diffusion while analyte species are trapped on the cold surface of a condenser. This kind of sample distillation keeps all the advantages of traditional electrothermal atomization and allows significant reduction of matrix interferences. Integration into one design a vaporizer, condenser and atomizer gives much more flexibility for in situ sample treatment and thus the system is called a Thermo-Chemical Reactor (TCR).     

原子吸收及原子荧光光谱分析

本文是《分析试验室》期刊定期评述中关于原子吸收光谱 (AAS)及原子荧光光谱 (AFS)分析的第 9篇综述文章。文中对 2 0 0 0年 12月～ 2 0 0 2年 11月期间我国在AAS AFS领域所取得的主要进展进行评述。内容包括概述、仪器装置、火焰原子吸收光谱法、电热原子吸收光谱法、化学蒸气发生技术以及原子荧光光谱法等。收集文献 35 8篇。     

钨丝在原子吸收光谱分析中的应用

随着原子化器和检测器的小型化，钨丝原子吸收光谱分析仪在便携式分析仪器方面显示了很大的潜力。本文主要评述了近年来钨丝在电热原子吸收光谱分析中的应用，引用文献49篇。     

Investigation of artifacts caused by deuterium background correction in the determination of phosphorus by electrothermal atomization using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry

The artifacts created in the measurement of phosphorus at the 213.6-nm non-resonance line by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using line source atomic absorption spectrometry (LS AAS) and deuterium lamp background correction (D₂ BC) have been investigated using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS). The absorbance signals and the analytical curves obtained by LS AAS without and with D₂ BC, and with HR-CS AAS without and with automatic correction for continuous background absorption, and also with least-squares background correction for molecular absorption with rotational fine structure were compared. The molecular absorption due to the suboxide PO that exhibits pronounced fine structure could not be corrected by the D₂ BC system, causing significant overcorrection. Among the investigated chemical modifiers, NaF, La, Pd and Pd + Ca, the Pd modifier resulted in the best agreement of the results obtained with LS AAS and HR-CS AAS. However, a 15% to 100% higher sensitivity, expressed as slope of the analytical curve, was obtained for LS AAS compared to HR-CS AAS, depending on the modifier. Although no final proof could be found, the most likely explanation is that this artifact is caused by a yet unidentified phosphorus species that causes a spectrally continuous absorption, which is corrected without problems by HR-CS AAS, but which is not recognized and corrected by the D₂ BC system of LS AAS.     

Graphite-furnace AAS with ultrasonic nebulization

A technique combining ultrasonic nebulization of solutions and graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry is described. The analytical possibilities of two different techniques are shown. In one the nebulized samples are continuously introduced into a graphite tube operated at constant temperature, and in the other deposited on the inner wall of the graphite tube and heated discontinuously. The method chosen influences the absorption values for several elements. The sensitivity for determination by continuous sampling lies between the values for the normal electrothermal AAS injection technique and flame AAS. Higher sensitivities are obtained with the deposition technique.     

High-resolution continuum source electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry — An analytical and diagnostic tool for trace analysis

The literature about applications of high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS) with electrothermal atomization is reviewed. The historic development of HR-CS AAS is briefly summarized and the main advantages of this technique, mainly the ‘visibility’ of the spectral environment around the analytical line at high resolution and the unequaled simultaneous background correction are discussed. Simultaneous multielement CS AAS has been realized only in a very limited number of cases. The direct analysis of solid samples appears to have gained a lot from the special features of HR-CS AAS, and the examples from the literature suggest that calibration can be carried out against aqueous standards. Low-temperature losses of nickel and vanadyl porphyrins could be detected and avoided in the analysis of crude oil due to the superior background correction system. The visibility of the spectral environment around the analytical line revealed that the absorbance signal measured for phosphorus at the 213.6 nm non-resonance line without a modifier is mostly due to the PO molecule, and not to atomic phosphorus. The future possibility to apply high-resolution continuum source molecular absorption for the determination of non-metals is discussed.     

Tungsten devices in analytical atomic spectrometry

Tungsten devices have been employed in analytical atomic spectrometry for approximately 30 years. Most of these atomizers can be electrically heated up to 3000 °C at very high heating rates, with a simple power supply. Usually, a tungsten device is employed in one of two modes: as an electrothermal atomizer with which the sample vapor is probed directly, or as an electrothermal vaporizer, which produces a sample aerosol that is then carried to a separate atomizer for analysis. Tungsten devices may take various physical shapes: tubes, cups, boats, ribbons, wires, filaments, coils and loops. Most of these orientations have been applied to many analytical techniques, such as atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry, atomic fluorescence spectrometry, laser excited atomic fluorescence spectrometry, metastable transfer emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and microwave plasma atomic spectrometry. The analytical figures of merit and the practical applications reported for these techniques are reviewed. Atomization mechanisms reported for tungsten atomizers are also briefly summarized. In addition, less common applications of tungsten devices are discussed, including analyte preconcentration by adsorption or electrodeposition and electrothermal separation of analytes prior to analysis. Tungsten atomization devices continue to provide simple, versatile alternatives for analytical atomic spectrometry.     

Untersuchungen zur atomspektroskopischen spurenanalyse in AIIIBV-halbleiter-mikroproben—IV: Vergleich der bestimmung von tellurspuren im GaP und GaAs durch AAS,AFS und AES

Methods are described for the determination of trace tellurium in acid solution in the absence and presence of the inorganic matrices As, P, Ga, GaP and GaAs and for the direct determination in solid GaP and GAs. The following methods were used: AAS with electrothermal atomization, AFS with electrothermal atomization, and AES with d.c. arc excitation. The conditions for each of the methods were optimized and the analytical results were compared. It is shown that AAS with electrothermal atomization gives the best absolute and also relative limit of detection for trace tellurium (90 pg Te, or 4 ppm Te in GaAs or GaP). Therefore this method is recommended for the determination of trace tellurium in very small samples of A^IIIB_V-semiconductors.     

Graphite atomizers modified with high-melting carbides for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. II. Practical aspects

Data relating to practical applications of carbide-modified graphite atomizers (CMGAs) published mainly since 1985 are critically discussed. All elements being determined by means of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry are divided into ten groups according to their characteristics in graphite atomizers. CMGAs are the most effective for the determination of the elements forming rather stable oxides, such as Ge, Sn, Ga, In, as well as B and Si. The application of CMGAs to the determination of carbide-forming elements (Cr, Mo, V, Ti, etc.) may cause a significant decrease in their sensitivity. Concerning the high-volatility analytes (semi-metals and boron), CMGAs are usually effective only in the presence of regular chemical modifiers, primarily the salts of Pd and Ni. CMGAs may be successfully used for the determination of some organoelement (with Sn, Pb, Se, As) compounds, as well as for the trapping of volatile hydrides. CMGAs seem to be especially promising for analysis of biological samples, organic extracts, solid samples and samples containing high concentrations of mineral acids. High-melting carbides are prospective permanent modifiers.     

Determination of cadmium in rice and water by tungsten coil electrothermal vaporization-atomic fluorescence spectrometry and tungsten coil electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after cloud point extraction

In this work, the microsampling nature of tungsten coil electrothermal vaporization Ar/H₂ flame atomic fluorescence spectrometry (W-coil ETV-AFS) as well as tungsten coil electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (W-coil ET-AAS) was used with cloud point extraction (CPE) for the ultrasensitive determination of cadmium in rice and water samples. When the temperature of the extraction system is higher than the cloud point temperature of the selected surfactant Triton X-114, the complex of cadmium with dithizone can be quantitatively extracted into the surfactant-rich phase and subsequently separated from the bulk aqueous phase by centrifugation. The main factors affecting the CPE, such as concentration of Triton X-114 and dithizone, pH, equilibration temperature and incubation time, were optimized for the best extract efficiency. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection for cadmium by W-coil ETV-AFS and W-coil ET-AAS were 0.01 and 0.03 μg L⁻¹, with sensitivity enhancement factors of 152 and 93, respectively. The proposed methods were applied to the determination of cadmium in certified reference rice and water samples with analytical results in good agreement with certified values.     

Study on the direct analysis of solid powder biological samples using fluorination assisted electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with PTFE slurry modifier

A method has been described for the direct determination of Ti, Cu, Mn, Cr and Cd in solid biological samples without any chemical pretreatment by fluorination assisted electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ETV-ICP-AES) with slurry sampling. A polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) emulsion was used as a fluorinating reagent to promote the vaporization of the analytes from the graphite furnace. The interface between furnace device and ICP torch and the main factors affecting the analytical signal were investigated systematically. The detection limits for the determination of Ti, Cu, Mn, Cr and Cd are 6.3, 4.7, 10, 13 and 278 ng/mL, respectively; the relative standard deviations are in the range of 1.5 (Mn) ∼4.0% (Cd) after optimization of the operating conditions. The recommended approach has been applied to directly determine the trace elements of interest in the Chinese traditional medicine Loulu and in the solid biological standard reference material (peach leaves, GBW 08501) with satisfactory results. Received: 28 December 1998 / Revised: 9 February 1999 / Accepted: 12 February 1999     

Use of modifiers with metal atomizers in electrothermal AAS: a short review

The evolution of chemical modifiers for Mo and W atomizers is slowly progressing, based mainly on trial and error experimentation. Despite repeated use of some chemical compounds, such as thiourea for Mo atomizers, at this point there is no panacea similar to the Pd+Mg mixture used widely in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Clearly, the chemical processes involved during atomization from a metal atomizer differ significantly from those occurring in a graphite tube, so successful graphite modifiers may not be readily adapted to metal atomizers. As a result, the analyst must begin anew with the evaluation of many potential modifiers in hopes of finally arriving at some universal solution. The purpose of this review, with 62 references, is to describe that journey to date, and to point out some promising paths that may lead to future success: such as the development of permanent chemical modifiers for W and Mo electrothermal atomizers.     

Study on the direct analysis of solid powder biological samples using fluorination assisted electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with PTFE slurry modifier

A method has been described for the direct determination of Ti, Cu, Mn, Cr and Cd in solid biological samples without any chemical pretreatment by fluorination assisted electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ETV-ICP-AES) with slurry sampling. A polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) emulsion was used as a fluorinating reagent to promote the vaporization of the analytes from the graphite furnace. The interface between furnace device and ICP torch and the main factors affecting the analytical signal were investigated systematically. The detection limits for the determination of Ti, Cu, Mn, Cr and Cd are 6.3, 4.7, 10, 13 and 278 ng/mL, respectively; the relative standard deviations are in the range of 1.5 (Mn) ∼4.0% (Cd) after optimization of the operating conditions. The recommended approach has been applied to directly determine the trace elements of interest in the Chinese traditional medicine Loulu and in the solid biological standard reference material (peach leaves, GBW 08501) with satisfactory results. Received: 28 December 1998 / Revised: 9 February 1999 / Accepted: 12 February 1999