Simultaneous multi-element determination using helium or argon plasma for graphite furnace capacitively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

Furnace atomization plasma excitation spectrometry(FAPES) has been heralded as a promising new technique for simultaneous multi-element determinations at sub-ppb concentrations. Graphite furnace capacitively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (GFCCP-AES) is a specific configuration of FAPES technology. Reported here is the first application of GFCCP-AES to simultaneous multi-element ultratrace determinations. Comparison of analytical sensitivity and signal characteristics are made for Ar and He plasmas in GFCCP-AES. The emission pulses for Cd, Zn, Tl, Pb, Ag, Sb, Au and Sn were higher and broader in the Ar plasma than in the He plasma. The noise levels were approximately equal for both plasmas, hence, the signal-to-noise ratio was superior for the Ar plasma. Mechanisms of vaporization, atomization and excitation are discussed and compared with those proposed by other workers.