Factors to be considered in the preparation of single and multi-element standards for inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

Abstract

The problems encountered with the production of single and multi-element inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectrometry (OES) standards are reviewed. Purity, stability and characterization of starting materials, water and acids have profound effects on the quality of these standards. The trace level contaminants and the form of the starting materials can result in serious analytical errors. Long-term stability of the ICP-OES standard, dependent in part on the storage container composition, plays an important role in the accuracy of ICP-OES calibration. The relationship between inter-element correction factors and the quality of ICP-OES standards is discussed. Finally, some of the factors that must be considered during the manufacture of multi-element standards for instrument calibration, universal and customer-specific applications are delineated.