Transport effects with dribble and jet ultrasonic nebulizers

Abstract

Ultrasonic nebulizers improve analyte transport compared with pneumatic types, but require partial or total solvent removal. Aerosol desolvation, using a heated chamber followed by a condenser, not only reduces the solvent loading in the plasma, but also increases the analyte transport relative to transport without desolvation. The influence on emission signals of the interaction of each component in the sample introduction system in terms of analyte and solvent transport losses are reported. Significant analyte losses in the spray chamber and condenser are observed and various approaches to improving analyte transport are presented. Two configurations of sample injection into the ultrasonic nebulizer, the dribble and jet type, are compared, with the jet type showing greater repeatability and improved peak shape for flow injection measurements.