Elemental analysis of micro-samples of liquids or slurries by coiled-filament in-torch vaporization inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ITV-ICP-AES)

In coiled-filament in-torch vaporization (ITV) sample introduction for indu ctively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), a sample is placed onto a coiled filament (e.g., a Re wire) and the sample carrying fil ament is inserted into a vaporization chamber which is attached to an ICP t orch. In this study, six vaporization chambers were tested using in-situ ge nerated smoke. Of these, a 6.5 cm(3) (internal volume) chamber was chosen. An Ar-H-2 ( approximate to 3% v/v) carrier gas was used and the effect of B ow rate and filament insertion position was determined for several elements (e.g., Zn, Pb, Cd, Mn, Mg, V, Be and Sr) that covered a range of wavelengt hs and vaporization characteristics. Analytical performance characteristics were also obtained and calibration graphs were linear over several orders of magnitude. Detection limits were in the pg to sub-pg range. Coiled-filam ent ITV-ICP-AES was also briefly tested with powdered solids as slurries us ing a biological standard reference material and Mn and Zn as test elements .