Analysis of cement by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry using slurry nebulization

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of analysing cement by introducing it as a slurry into an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). A complete analysis of cement for major (Ca, Si, Mg, Al, Fe) and minor and trace elements (S, K, Ti, Na, P, Mn and Sr) was accomplished. Calibration was performed either by using reference materials as slurries or by using simple aqueous standards. A combination of hydrochloric acid (1% v/v), glycerol (0.01% m/v) and agitation in an ultrasonic bath (10 min) was employed to ensure well dispersed and stable slurries. Measurements were made on a simultaneous ICP-OES instrument with both axial and radial plasma viewing. Values obtained for selected elements were compared to those measured on an X-ray ¯uorescence (XRF) instrument. It was found that ICP-OES gave an elegant and effective alternative to XRF for the analysis of cement. Accuracy of the technique, was checked by analysing a certi®ed reference material. This proved that the method could be easily employed on a routine basis for analysis of cement. Cost effectiveness and simplicity of sample preparation contributed to this conclusion.

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry with axially viewed configuration: an overview of applications

“…Additionally, residence times could also be altered. Some publications proposed the use of increasing masses of certified reference materials for the calibration, [25][26][27] but aqueous solutions could also be used. 27,[31][32][33] The use of the generalized standard additions method (GSAM), an expansion of the conventional standard additions method, has also been proposed for slurry analysis in a dual view 28 and in an axially viewed ICP OES.…”

“…Spectral interferences related to the high amount of matrix constituents, solid particle deposition in the optical interface and EIE's interferences did not affect severely slurry analysis. When compared to techniques such as Xray fluorescence (XRF) for cement analysis, the use of ICP OES presented some advantages, such as lower matrix-interference effects, better sensitivity, linearity of calibration curves over several orders of magnitude, excellent reproducibility, great versatility and the possibility of analyzing non-metallic elements, such as C, B, P, and S. 25 Generally, grinding steps have to be adopted in analytical routine for the analysis of slurry samples. The ideal particle size to be introduced in ICP OES is an important parameter.…”

A Straightforward Method for Determination of Al and Na in Aluminosilicates Using ICP OES

“…Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) is a powerful multi-elemental technique applied to chemical analysis 1 which requires a sample preparation step involving only a simple dilution or total dissolution if the sample is a solid. 1,2 Concerning solid samples, methodologies involving suspensions prepared from finely powdered samples (slurries) have become acceptable 1,3,4 as well as the application of extraction methods 5 depending the nature of sample. ICP OES presents some advantages such as low degree of matrix-interference, high analytical frequency, linearity of calibration curves over several orders of magnitude and excellent reproducibility.…”

Use of a simplified generalized standard additions method for the analysis of cement, gypsum and basic slag by slurry nebulization ICP-OES

“…Standard reference materials [4,5], internal standards [6], intrinsic internal standards [7], as well as empirical correction factors [8] have all been successfully applied to compensate for different transportation and excitation properties. There are, however, certain limitations to their application.…”