Internal standards for simultaneous multi-element analysis in inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectroscopy with an electrothermal atomiser for sample introduction

Abstract

Elemental internal standards were obtained for 14 elements in inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectroscopy with a modified Perkin-Elmer HGA 2000 graphite furnace sample introduction system. Internal standards were used to correct for errors due to changes in the flow-rate of the argon carrier gas, the observation zone, the observation period, the sample volume and tube deterioration. Precisions for 10-µl aliquots of 1 p.p.m. solutions of calcium, cobalt, manganese and nickel were improved by 40%. Emission responses revealed that internal standards will correct for both random and deliberate systematic operation fluctuations without re-calibration of the system.