Thermospray sample introduction to atomic spectrometry

The status of thermospray sample introduction for analytical atomic spectro metry is reviewed beginning with description of general principles and oper ational characteristics of thermospray. The influence of important operatio nal parameters, such as the operating temperature, spray chamber and desolv ation system design, capillary internal diameter, and sample Row rate are d escribed with respect to analytical parameters such as sensitivity, limits- of-detection, and accuracy for inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission s pectrometry and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Developments in the use of thermospray with flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption are also summarized. Applications of these thermospray methods are then di scussed, with particular focus on methods for metal speciation, including t he description of new methods which utilize thermospray as a high temperatu re, high pressure chemical reactor for direct speciation of metals such as selenium and chromium. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.