Analysis of recycled thermoplasts from consumer electronics by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy

An experimental setup was established for on-line analysis of recycled ther moplasts from consumer electronics by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LI PS) along with the optimum experimental parameters. Via an experimental des ign, the optimum wavelength for plasma ignition and best parameters for a t ime-resolved detection, i.e. delay of the integration relative to the plasm a ignition, gate width, and irradiance were determined. The employed echell e spectrograph allowed a fast multielement analysis due to the superior spe ctral coverage (200-780 nm) and spectral resolution (lambda/Delta lambda > 10,000 at 250 nm). Linear calibration plots were obtained by normalization to carbon as internal standard, the limits of detection are in the parts pe r million range and sufficient for the envisioned on-line application. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.