Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry Utilizing a Direct Graphite Cup Insertion Technique

Abstract

A preliminary study on analytical performances of graphite sample cups is described for an instrumental assembly to carry out microliter volumes of liquid sample analysis. The graphite cup with a graphite rod and an insulating handle is inserted axially via the injector tube of a quartz torch into a low power operated inductively coupled argon plasma. Univariate search method has been employed for optimization of cup size, rod height and plasma operating parameters for manganese ionic line at 257.6 nm to obtain the most favorable net signal-to-background ratio. Detection limits, reproducibilities and dynamic ranges are also reported for manganese, zinc, lead, chromium, and nickel in solution.