Multielement detection limits and sample nebulization efficiencies of an improved ultrasonic nebulizer and a conventional pneumatic nebulizer in inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1977 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac50012a032· OSTI ID:7318330

Olson, K W; Haas, Jr, W J; Fassel, V A

Two important aspects of the analytical performance of a newly developed ultrasonic nebulizer and a specially designed pneumatic nebulizer have been compared for use in inductively coupled plasma--atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The ultrasonic nebulizer, when combined with a conventional aerosol desolvation apparatus, provided an order of magnitude or more improvement in simultaneous multielement detection limits as compared to those obtained when the pneumatic nebulizer was used either with or without desolvation. Application of a novel method for direct measurement of the overall efficiency of nebulization to the two systems showed that an approximately tenfold greater rate of sample delivery to the plasma torch was primarily responsible for the superior detection limits afforded by the ultrasonic nebulizer. A unique feature of the ultrasonic nebulizer described is the protection against chemical attack which is achieved by completely enclosing the transducer in an acoustically coupled borosilicate glass cylinder. Direct sample introduction, convenient sample change, and rapid cleanout are other important characteristics of the system which make it an attractive alternate to pneumatic nebulizer systems.

• Research Organization: Iowa State Univ., Ames
• OSTI ID: 7318330
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 49:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ALUMINIUM
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
SAMPLING
ARSENIC
CADMIUM
CHROMIUM
COBALT
COPPER
IRON
LEAD
MANGANESE
MOLYBDENUM
NICKEL
SELENIUM
VANADIUM
ZINC
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
MULTI-ELEMENT ANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELEMENTS
METALS
REFRACTORY METALS
SEMIMETALS
SPECTROSCOPY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
400104* - Spectral Procedures- (-1987)