title: Mixed-gas inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using a direct injection high efficiency nebulizer.
abstract: Experimental studies and computer simulations were conducted to identify plasma operating conditions and to explore and contrast the excitation conditions of Ar, Ar-O2, and Ar-He inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) for the introduction of microliter volumes of sample solutions with a direct injection high efficiency nebulizer (DIHEN). The best MgII 280.270 nm/MgI 285.213 nm ratio (6.6) measured with Ar ICP atomic emission spectrometry for the DIHEN (RF power = 1500 W; nebulizer gas flow rate = 0.12 L min(-1)) was less than the ratio (8.2) acquired on the same instrument for conventional nebulization (1500 W and 0.6 L min(-1)). Addition of small amounts of O2 or He (5%) to the outer gas flow improved excitation conditions in the ICP, that is, a more robust condition (a MgII/MgI ratio of up to 8.9) could be obtained by using the DIHEN with Ar-O2 and Ar-He mixed-gas plasmas, thereby minimizing some potential spectroscopic and matrix interferences, in comparison to Ar ICPAES.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
authors.forename: José R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Chirinos
authors.forename: Kaveh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kahen
authors.forename: Su-Ann E
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Akbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montaser