Microporous polytetrafluoroethylene tubing gas-liquid separator for hydride generation and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

Experimental conditions are evaluated for the use of microporous polytetrafluoroethylene tubing as a gasliquid separator in both continuous and flow injection hydride generation with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The tubing diameter and porosity, carrier gas flow-rate and separator volume were examined to verify an empirical relationship between the emission signal and tubing surface area, porosity, length and wall thickness. When tested for arsine generation, the precision expressed as relative standard deviation was 1–4%, and the limit of detection was approximately 1 ng ml^–1 for peak height and 0.2 ng ml^–1 for peak area. The determination of arsenic in NBS SRM 1643a Trace Elements in Water corresponded to the certified value.