Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Electrothermal Vaporization Greatly Improves Sensitivity of SPECTRO ICP-OES Spectrometer in Trace Element Analysis

Home > Press > Electrothermal Vaporization Greatly Improves Sensitivity of SPECTRO ICP-OES Spectrometer in Trace Element Analysis

Abstract:
- ICP instrument penetrates sensitivity range of glow discharge sector field mass spectrometers at a fraction of the instrumental costs
- Solid material analysis for pure metals and ceramics
- New application report: "Analysis of Pure Copper Using ETV ICP-OES"

Electrothermal Vaporization Greatly Improves Sensitivity of SPECTRO ICP-OES Spectrometer in Trace Element Analysis

Kleve, Germany | Posted on December 12th, 2012

By using electrothermal vaporization (ETV) for sample introduction, SPECTRO Analytical Instruments has greatly improved the sensitivity of the SPECTRO ARCOS ICP-OES spectrometer for material analysis applications. Trials verify that detection limits can be improved by an order of magnitude. At a much lower cost, ICP-OES penetrates the sensitivity range of glow discharge sector field mass spectrometers, opening new application areas in solid material analysis for ICP-OES.

Typically, ICP-OES samples are first dissolved and then introduced to the instrument using a nebulizer. When using electrothermal vaporization (ETV), however, the solid samples are vaporized in an oven with a temperature range up to 3,000 degrees Celsius. The graphite vaporization chamber uses argon as the inert gas. After vaporization, the analyte is transported as a dry aerosol to the ICP instrument with an argon/reaction gas stream. Sample vaporization takes just two minutes.

"With ETV, the sample is not diluted, but flows to the instrument as a concentrated stream of micro particles," explains Olaf Schulz, who is responsible for SPECTRO's line of ICP-OES products. "This increases the sensitivity of the ICP instrument significantly. We shifted the sensitivity range of the SPECTRO ARCOS into the range of a few micrograms per kilogram. This allows for applications in pure metal analysis with ICP-OES technology possible for the first time. A much larger sample amount can be analyzed compared with laser ablation, which is better suited to spot testing. Homogeneity differences within a sample also have less of an influence on the analytical result. One example is the examination of cathodically obtained copper for electrical wires, where even trace amounts of impurities can greatly impair electrical conductivity. For this reason, material analysis is imperative.

"Our trials with pure copper indicate that the SPECTRO ARCOS can achieve similar sensitivity as a glow discharge sector field mass spectrometer. The corresponding application report documenting this can be requested at www.spectrolive.com," notes Olaf Schulz.

ETV analysis opens up whole new possibilities especially for samples that are difficult to dissolve. No longer is it necessary to create solutions of ceramic materials, such as the extremely resistant silicon carbide, using time-consuming chemical digestion.

ETV Systems is now user-friendly

Electrothermal vaporization as a method for sample preparation has been available on the market for some time. "However, first generation ETV systems were often difficult to operate, not especially suited to routine use and prone to errors. There has been major success in making ETV more compact and user friendly," reports ICP-OES Product Manager, Olaf Schulz.

SPECTRO offers the ICP-OES ARCOS together with the ETV system as a complete system with an autosampler for up to 50 solid samples in its range of products.

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About SPECTRO
SPECTRO is among the world leading suppliers of analytical instruments for optical emission and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. As a unit of AMETEK’s Materials Analysis Division, SPECTRO manufactures advanced instruments, develops the best solutions for strongly varying applications and provides exemplary customer service. SPECTRO’s products are exemplified by unique technical capabilities that deliver measureable benefits to the customer. From its foundation in 1979 until today, SPECTRO has delivered more than 30,000 analytical instruments to customers around the world.

AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical products with over 12,000 colleagues at more than 100 manufacturing locations and 100 sales and services centers worldwide. AMETEK consists of two operating groups: Electronic Instruments and Electromechanical. Electronic Instruments is a leader in advanced instruments for the process, aerospace, power and industrial markets. Electromechanical is a differentialted supplier of electric interconnects, specialty metals, floor care, specialty and technical motors and associated systems.

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