Application of Microflow Nebulizer in Inductive Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

A microflow nebulizer was applied in an inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer(ICP-AES)to minimize the consumption of samples for environmental analyses.Experiments with metal element standard solutions were carried out on the related instrumental parameters,i.e.,the nebulizer gas pressure,the radio frequency(RF)generator power,the peristaltic pump rotary speed,and the auxiliary gas flow rate.The optimal working conditions were obtained as follows:the nebulizer gas pressure was 0.2MPa,the RF power was 1 150 W,the peristaltic pump rotary speed was 25r/min,and the auxiliary gas flow rate was 0.5L·min-1.The response intensities,the background values and the detection limits using the microflow nebulizer were compared with those using a normal nebulizer under their optimal working conditions.Response intensity using the microflow nebulizer was slightly lower than that using the normal nebulizer,while the background value using the microflow nebulizer was decreased significantly comparing with that using the normal nebulizer.Detection limits and the standard deviation of the elements measured by the both nebulizer were comparable.Analytical results of Al,Fe,Mg,Mn,Ti,Ba,Sr,Co,Cu and Ni of an extract of a marine sediment sample,a digested phytoplankton sample,and a digested suspended particle sample determined with the microflow nebulizer were consistent with those determined with the normal nebulizer.The background interferences were reduced when the microflow nebulizer were used.Sample consumption was just a third of that using the normal nebulizer or much less.The analytical efficiency was thus improved after the microflow nebulizer applied in ICP-AES.