An improved microwave plasma torch for atomic spectrometry

The analytical performance of a microwave plasma torch was improved through mechanical alterations. Several problems reported in earlier designs were addressed: the ignition and stabilization of a helium plasma in the MPT was difficult; high powers were required to both ignite and operate the plasma; otherwise, the plasma would erratically change from an annular to a filament type discharge. In the new torch, the helium discharge was stabilized by replacing the copper central tube with one made of quartz. In addition, air entrainment was alleviated through use of a sheathing gas. This modification simplified the background mass spectrum and raised the effective ionization temperature of the discharge. A detailed schematic diagram of the new microwave plasma torch is presented.     

Design and modelling of a modified 2.45 GHz coaxial plasma torch for atomic spectrometry

The design and modelling of a stable and easy to build coaxial 2.45 GHz microwave plasma torch is presented. Its field modelling and operational principles based on transmission line theory are discussed. An experimental range of stable operation for usage in atomic spectrometry extends from 50 to 200 W microwave power and from an argon working gas flow of 50 to 1000 ml/min.     

Thermal imaging of microwave fields inside the surfatron and the microwave plasma torch

A new method is introduced for imaging microwave fields, such as those found in microwave-plasma support structures. The method relies upon the darkening that such fields cause in heat-sensitive paper, such as that used in some telefax printers. With this new method, the microwave-frequency electric fields inside two microwave-plasma support structures, the surfatron and the microwave plasma torch, have been measured and subsequently imaged in three dimensions. The images reveal that the surfatron and microwave plasma torch have different operational behavior. As expected, the electric field strength inside the surfatron exponentially falls off down the length of the quartz plasma tube. The field inside the microwave plasma torch initially diminishes, but then increases in strength towards the end of the tube. An aerosol was introduced into the surfatron to observe the effect of water vapor on the electric field strength and distribution. The exponential axial decay of the electric field in the ‘dry’ surfatron plasma, characteristic of a surface wave propagating down a quartz plasma tube, is extended further down the quartz tube in the ‘wet’ plasma. A drop in plasma conductivity is likely the origin of the elongated propagation of the surface wave.     

Solution nebulization of aqueous samples into the tubular-electrode torch capacitatively-coupled microwave plasma

This work shows the feasibility of using nebulization for introduction of aqueous samples into the tubular-torch capacitatively-coupled microwave plasma (CMP). Previously, solid electrodes were used with this type of plasma, in which analyte carrier and plasma support gases are premixed and swept around the electrode tip. With the new design, the analyte carrier gas passes through the centre of the hollow tubular electrode and mixes with the plasma support gas at the tip of the electrode where the plasma is formed. Sample solutions are nebulized with a Meinhard nebulizer and a laboratory-constructed spray chamber and desolvation system. The tubular torch is made of tantalum. Plasma gases investigated include argon, helium and nitrogen. Typical operating powers are 300-350 W. Elements studied include Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cs, Cu, K, Li, Na, Pb, Pd, Sr and Zn.     

On-line preconcentration with activated carbon for microwave plasma torch atomic emission spectrometry

This paper presents a method whereby trace elements are adsorbed in NH(4)ClNH(3) medium on activated carbon and then determined by microwave plasma torch atomic emission spectrometry (MPT-AES). The working conditions (including microwave forward power, gas flow rate, NH(3)NH(4)Cl concentration in the sample solution, HCl concentration in the eluant, sample introduction rate and preconcentration time) were investigated in detail. The effects of concomitant ions were studied. The experimental results for such analytes as Pb, Mn, Cd, Cu and Fe indicate that the procedure can eliminate fundamentally the interferences caused by alkali and alkaline earth metal elements and the application of it to the determination of iron in industrial silicon and tap water samples is successful.     

Use of microwave plasma torch atomic emission spectrometry for the determination of silicon

 A method for the elimination of matrix effects was developed for the determination of trace amounts of silicon by microwave plasma torch atomic emission spectrometry (MPT-AES). The sample solution was introduced into the MPT with a pneumatic nebulizer (PN). When Ar was used as both carrier and support gas, a detection limit of 10.8 ng/ml was obtained. The precision was 4.2% (RSD). The characteristics of the emission spectrum of silicon in MPT was studied in detail. The interference of some concomitant cations with the silicon emission was eliminated by incorporation of a cation-exchange column into the flow injection system. The method has been applied to analyze some practical samples and the results obtained are satisfactory. Received: 23 October 1995/Revised: 16 April 1996/Accepted: 20 April 1996     

微波等离子体炬原子发射光谱法测定原油中的钒

采用微波等离子体炬原子发射光谱法(MPT-AES)测定原油中的钒。详细考察了分析谱线、载气流量、工作气流量、氧屏蔽气流量和微波功率对钒发射强度的影响。实验结果表明:在分析谱线289.332nm,微波功率90W,载气流量1350m L·min-1,工作气流量650m L·min-1条件下,测得钒的检出限为56.2ng·m L-1,钒含量在0~100μg·m L-1范围符合线性关系。对原油中常见的共存元素影响进行考察,3倍的铜,10倍的镁、铁对钒的测定无影响;1倍的钙、镍、钠、锌、锰干扰钒的测定。测试体系对乙二胺四乙酸二钠有一定的允许量,适量的乙二胺四乙酸二钠溶液可大幅度提高共存元素的允许量。原油中钒测定结果的相对标准偏差不大于4.1%,加标回收实验的回收率为95.6%~104.3%。     

New design of a radio-frequency plasma torch

A numerical model has been developed for predicting the two-dimensional flow and temperature fields in a radio-frequency (rf) plasma torch. The method employed here is based on Boulos' model with the exception of the boundary conditions for the electric and magnetic field equations. Calculations have been made for the confirmation of a new sample injection method, which is capable of completely evaporating refractory materials at high feeding rates without interfering with the stability of the plasma. In the newly designed torch, the reagent is radially injected into the hottest part of the plasma through quartz capillary tubes set symmetrically between an inductor coil. Experimental investigations have also been performed for verifying the proper function of the design. These results provide evidence that our radial injection method developed here is more effective in practical processing than the conventional axial injection methods.     

Flow-injection on-line column preconcentration for low powered microwave plasma torch atomic emission spectrometry

This paper describes an improvement in detection capability of microwave plasma torch atomic emission spectrometry by using a flow-injection on-line column preconcentration system. The analytical performances of Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn were studied. The analytes were preconcentrated with a thiol resin. The preconcentration period, the pH of the sample solution and the HCl concentration in the eluant were examined in detail. Operating conditions were optimized as follows: sample uptake, 1.2 ml min(-1); preconcentration period, l min; pH of sample solution, 9; HCl concentration in the eluant, 1 mol 1(-1). The experimental results show that flow-injection on-line column preconcentration can not only eliminate the effect of some concomitant elements, such as Li, Na and K, on the determination of analyte, but also enhance the sensitivity.     

Thermospray nebulizer as sample introduction technique for microwave plasma torch atomic emission spectrometry

A thermospray nebulizer was used as a sample introduction device for microwave plasma torch (MPT) atomic emission spectrometry (AES). Experimental parameters, including the power supplied to the MPT, the flow rates of support and carrier gases, the observation height, the sample uptake rate, the thermospray working temperature, the temperature of the aerosol spray chamber and cooling water were optimized. Under optimum conditions, the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 10 measurements for 21 elements is in the range 0.3–2.0%. The detection limits were improved in comparison with the ultrasonic nebulizer as sample introduction technique for MPT–AES. The inclusion of 20% methanol into the MPT showed there is no effect on the stability of MPT discharge. The technique can thus be held to have the potential for interface to reverse-phase HPLC systems.     

Detection of uranium in industrial and mines samples by microwave plasma torch mass spectrometry

Microwave plasma torch (MPT), traditionally used as the light source for atomic emission spectrophotometry, has been employed as the ambient ionization source for sensitive detection of uranium in various ground water samples with widely available ion trap mass spectrometer. In the full‐scan mass spectra obtained in the negative ion detection mode, uranium signal was featured by the uranyl nitrate complexes (e.g. [UO₂(NO₃)₃]^?), which yielded characteristic fragments in the tandem mass spectrometry experiments, allowing confident detection of trace uranium in water samples without sample pretreatment. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the calibration curves were linearly responded within the concentration levels ranged in 10–1000 µg·l^?1, with the limit of detection (LOD) of 31.03 ng·l^?1. The relative standard deviations (RSD) values were 2.1–5.8% for the given samples at 100 µg·l^?1. The newly established method has been applied to direct detection of uranium in practical mine water samples, providing reasonable recoveries 90.94–112.36% for all the samples tested. The analysis of a single sample was completed within 30 s, showing a promising potential of the method for sensitive detection of trace uranium with improved throughput. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Long-service-life plasma arc torch

An arc plasma torch having a long service life is described. Its water-cooled copper electrodes are coated with a film of a nanostructured carbon material. Electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy instrumental studies of the electrode coating showed that it consisted of the composite nanosized carbon material including largely single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes and other carbon forms with a certain amount of copper atoms intercalated in the carbon matrix.     

Direct desorption/ionization of analytes by microwave plasma torch for ambient mass spectrometric analysis

Ambient ionization is the new revolution in mass spectrometry (MS). A microwave plasma produced by a microwave plasma torch (MPT) at atmospheric pressure was directly used for ambient mass spectrometric analysis. H₃O⁺ and NH₄⁺ and their water clusters from the background are formed and create protonated molecules and ammoniated molecules of the analytes. In the full‐scan mass spectra, both the quasi‐molecular ions of the analytes and their characteristic ionic fragments are obtained and provide evidence of the analyte. The successful detection of active compounds in both medicine and garlic proves that MPT has the efficient desorption/ionization capability to analyze solid samples. The obtained decay curve of nicotine in exhaled breath indicates that MPT‐MS is a useful tool for monitoring gas samples in real time. These results showed that the MPT, with the advantages of stable plasma, minimal optimization, easy, solvent‐free operation, and no pretreatment, is another potential technique for ambient MS. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preliminary investigation of a tangential flow torch with coupling probe injector for helium microwave induced plasma mass spectrometry

A stable, low gas-flow torch has been developed for use with a helium microwave induced plasma (MIP). A toroidal plasma with central analyte introduction is obtained by the addition of a tantalum coupling probe injector tube. This injector penetrates through 100% of the total cavity depth and aids in the efficiency of power transfer to the cavity, in plasma initiation, and in circumventing the effects of a lack of homogeneity in the microwave field on analyte distribution in the plasma. The tangential helium flow was 41/min and the microwave power was 60 W.Presented in part at the 1989 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Reutte, Austria     

Determination of the arc-root position in a DC plasma torch

The behavior of an arc operated in the nontransferred mode with a conical-shaped cathode and a nozzle-shaped anode is studied by applying general tyro-dimensional conservation equations and auxiliary relations for the simulation of arc channel flows. The position of the arc-root attachment at the anode surface is determined by using Steenbeck's minimum principle, which postulates a minimum arc voltage for a given current and certain given boundary conditions. The overall effects of the anode-arc root on the plasma flow are, studied by comparing the results with those of the transferred mode of operation. Specific arc-channel diameters are chosen in the simulation in order to verify flit, numerical model through comparisons with experimental results. The results show that Steenbeck's minimum principle is useful for determining the position of the arc-root attachment at the anode surface. Application of this method for control of the arc-anode attachment may be valuable in the design and operation of plasma spray torches to avoid jet instabilities.     

Preliminary spectroscopic experiments with helium microwave induced plasma produced in air by use of a new structure: the axial injection torch

In this experimental study we have used spectroscopic methods to characterize helium plasma obtained by means of a novel waveguide-fed microwave plasma torch at atmospheric pressure, the axial injection torch. This device produces a “plasma flame” by coupling high frequency (HF) power at 2.45 GHz to the discharge. Various flame parameters (namely the electron density number and the electron and gas temperatures) have been determined by using spectroscopic diagnostic techniques that provided an estimate in terms of the helium flow rate, absorbed HF power and axial position in the experiments. These preliminary results suggest some departure from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and seem to indicate the utility of the discharge as an excitation source for emission spectroscopy. Comparison with other microwave torches already described in the literature is made in terms of the electron density and the electron and gas temperature.     

Direct solid atomic emission spectrometric analysis of metal samples by an argon microwave plasma torch coupled to spark ablation

Spark ablation has been combined to microwave plasma torch atomic emission spectrometry for the direct analysis of compact metallic samples. The material is ablated by a medium voltage spark (450 V, 370 Hz) in a point-to-plane configuration and swept into a 100-W, 2.45-GHz argon microwave discharge. The microwave plasma is observed end-on and the radiation analysed with a polychromator. The detection limits for Fe, Ni, Pb and Sn in brass, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, Mo, Si and V in steel and Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Si and Zn in aluminium with the microwave plasma torch in the case of measurements with a polychromator are in the μg/g range and by a factor of up to 20 higher than those obtained with spark ablation coupled to inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using a high resolution sequential spectrometer. The stability of the emission signal depends on the element studied and relative standard deviations usually are between 0.5 and 3.5%. In the case of low-alloy steels, the linearity and the precision of the calibration could be improved by internal standardisation. Several elements (Cr, Cu, Ni, Si and V) could be determined in a steel sample (BAS SS 410/1) with high accuracy and precision.     

微波消解-微波等离子体炬原子发射光谱法测定合金钢中的铜、锰、钼

用微波等离子体炬 (MPT)为激发光源 ,氩气为等离子体工作气体 ,用气动雾化进样 ,研究了微波消解 微波等离子体炬原子发射光谱法 (MPT AES)测定合金钢中铜、锰、钼的方法。考察了微波功率、载气流量、工作气流量、氧屏蔽气流量等实验参数对测定铜、锰、钼的影响。对微波消解合金钢样品的消解条件进行了考察 ,建立了最佳消解程序。测定铜、锰、钼的检出限分别为 3.3、3.7和 42ng mL ,RSD(n =6)分别为 1 7%、2 .4%、3.8% ,并且测得它们的线性范围分别为0 .0 2～ 5 0 μg mL、0 .0 4～ 5 0 μg mL和 0 .2 0～ 5 0 μg mL。     

Analytical characterisation of a capacitively coupled plasma torch with a central tube electrode

A new type of radiofrequency capacitively coupled plasma torch is presented. The torch electrode geometry is coaxial with a tubular central electrode and one or two outer ring electrodes. The argon plasma is generated at 275 W radiofrequency power and 27.12 MHz and it has a very good stability and a low gas consumption of 0.4 l min(-1). The nebulized sample is introduced through the tubular electrode into the core of the annular shaped plasma thus achieving a better atomisation and a lower background. The limits of detection for 20 elements are in the range of ng ml(-1) and the dynamic range between 2.5 and 3.5. The best results are obtained with the torch with two outer ring electrodes.