Abstract

The trace element analysis of superconductor oxides YBa₂Cu₃O_{7 − x} was performed by use of a PU 7000 sequential inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The manganese emission line at 259.373 nm was used to find the optimum viewing position in the plasma for the determination of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Al, Ni, Si and Sr. The different emission lines were compared and matrix effects of major elements (Cu, Ba and Y) were studied. A scan of emission lines Mn II at 259.373 nm, Mg II at 280.270 nm, Fe II at 259.940 nm, Al I at 309.271, Ni II at 221.647 nm, Ca II at 396.847 nm, Si I at 251.611 nm and Sr II at 407.771 nm was performed. The detection limits (DL) of the elements were in the range 0.002–0.006 mg l⁻¹ and the practical detection limits (PDL) were between 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ and 1.2 × 10^-4 (% m/m). The precision of the determination (RSD) ranged from 1.4 to 3.2% and was dependent on the element and its concentration.