Online combustion followed by carbon dioxide removal: evaluation of a new approach for the analysis of volatile organic substances by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

Abstract

, and Zr) in volatile organic solvents such as acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), chloroform, dichloromethane, tetrachloroethane or trichloro-trifluoroethane. After combusting the sample aerosol in a commercial carbon analyzer oven in an oxygen-rich atmosphere, carbon dioxide and remaining oxygen were removed from the gas stream prior to the introduction into an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The proposed combustion/carbon removal approach allowed stable operation of the ICP even when introducing highly volatile solvents that otherwise would have immediately extinguished the plasma. Analyte signals in halogenated solvents were found to be significantly higher than in non-halogenated ones and non-linear calibration functions were observed for all investigated analytes below 5 mg kg À1. Though a stable operation of the plasma was possible, the analyte signal intensities obtained in water were, depending on the element and the solvent, between 1.5 and 2800 times higher than in halogenated solvents.

Matrix effects of carbon and bromine in inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

“…The nebulization efficiency and mass ow of samples introduced into the ICP were determined using the well-established method of continuous weighing. 25 Contrary to the setup employed previously for this purpose 26 two beakers located at the balance were used rather than one: the rst beaker contained the sample solution whereas the second was used to collect the liquid returned from the spray chamber. Thereby the density of each solution could be measured independently with a density meter (DMA4500, Anton Paar, Austria).…”

Atomic spectrometry update. Review of advances in the analysis of metals, chemicals and functional materials

“…Direct determination of trace elements in organic solvents by ICP poses a challenge because of problems associated with carbon loading of the ICP including plasma instability and spectral interferences by carbon and soot formation on the torch or injector. A novel online combustion system was developed by Wiltsche et al 90 for the quantication of metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Fe, La, Li, Mg, Ni, Pb, Y, Zn and Zr) in acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone, chloroform, dichloromethane, tetrachloromethane and trichloro-triuoroethane. The authors exploited the removal of carbon prior to introduction into the ICP by burning the sample in the presence of oxygen.…”

“…Calibration for the XANES was accomplished by pressing pellets of plastic, methyl cellulose binder and lead chromate and/or chromium acetylacetonate. The last two components could have their proportions changed to obtain 0, 5,10,15,20,25,30,50,75,90,95 and 100% Cr VI . The absorption of the pre-edge peak of Cr K-edge XANES spectra were summed and normalized and yielded straight calibrations, even though measurements were conducted at different beam time and beam line.…”