F. Leis et al., Investigations on laser ablation-microwave induced plasma-atomic emission spectrometry using polymer samples, SPECT ACT B, 56(1), 2001, pp. 27-35
The potential of laser ablation-microwave induced plasma-atomic emission sp
ectrometry (LA-MIP-AES) for the analysis of plastic materials has been inve
stigated. A Nd/YAG laser, operated in its fundamental mode at 1064 nm, was
used to ablate small amounts of various plastics. The sample atoms were tra
nsported and excited in a closely neighbored continuously running microwave
induced plasma (MIP) operated in argon or helium at reduced pressure. A 0.
5-m echelle spectrometer, equipped with an intensified charge coupled devic
e (ICCD) as a detector was used for recording the spectra. The amount of ab
lated material was found to be strongly dependent on the matrix (10-190 ng/
shot). Signals for some metals often used as additives in polymers (Al, Ca,
Cu, Sb, Ti) and for the elements F, Cl, Br, J, and P in various polymers w
ere recorded in the spectral range 250-840 nm. The estimated detection limi
ts were found to be in the range 0.001-0.08% for metals and 0.05-0.7% for n
on-metals. Spectral lines of fluorine and iodine could only be measured in
the helium MIP. For high concentrations of chlorine and carbon in the sampl
es (polyvinylchloride), a memory effect was observed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci
ence B.V. All rights reserved.