Dc arc spectrometry of solids: some new aspects of an old method

Abstract

The critical evaluation of old-fashioned dc arc excitation under modern conditions and in connection with a multichannel spectrometer is reported. As typical solid samples in all evaluation steps, various kinds of SiC powders were used; as analyte elements, the most important impurities (Al, Fe, Ni, Ti and V) were chosen. The broad use of the method is also demonstrated in the ecologically relevant analysis of sediments, where the main toxic and essential elements (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) were analysed. Contrary to our earlier investigations, in this case, neither a special working atmosphere nor the dilution of samples with spectrochemical additives was applied. The main figures of merit of the method were determined (precision of the method, calibration characteristics, limit of determination, etc.). Their values confirmed the applicability of the modernized dc-arc-OES method as a rapid alternative to existing solid sampling (SS)-OES and SS-AAS methods.