THERMOSPRAY NEBULIZER AS SAMPLE INTRODUCTION TECHNIQUE FOR MICROWAVE PLASMA TORCH ATOMIC-EMISSION SPECTROMETRY

A thermospray nebulizer was used as a sample introduction device for m icrowave plasma torch (MPT) atomic emission spectrometry (AES). Experi mental parameters, including the power supplied to the MPT, the flow r ates of support and carrier gases, the observation height, the sample uptake rate, the thermospray working temperature, the temperature of t he aerosol spray chamber and cooling water were optimized. Under optim um conditions, the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 10 measurement s for 21 elements is in the range 0.3-2.0%. The detection limits were improved in comparison with the ultrasonic nebulizer as sample introdu ction technique for MPT-AES. The inclusion of 20% methanol into the MP T showed there is no effect on the stability of MPT discharge. The tec hnique can thus be held to have the potential for interface to reverse -phase HPLC systems. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.