NEWS Glass Expansion Newsletter | June 2014 | Issue 34
Glass Expansion News
APPLICATION SPOTLIGHT
Performance of a “Souped Up” ICP-OES System
Introduction
Typically nebulizer uptake rates of 1.0 to 2.0mL/min are utilized in ICP-OES in order
to achieve acceptable sensitivity and precision. An even higher nebulizer rate, often
referred to as “fast pumping” may also be required to washout a high standard or sample.
Acceptable blank levels in some environmental applications require long rinse times at
this fast pumping rate, which leads to long sample to sample time and reduces the lifetime
of consumables. In this paper, we will examine the use of specific sample introduction
accessories to dramatically improve both the performance and productivity of an ICP
optical spectrometer with a focus on small sample volume. This is accomplished by
optimizing the sample transport efficiency to the ICP and by maximizing the efficiency of
sample delivery and washout.
The Niagara Plus CMTM Enhanced Productivity Accessory was utilized in the “souped
up” ICP configuration to reduce analysis time and sample consumption, while improving
washout at a 300μL/min nebulizer flow rate. The Niagara Plus CM system is based on
flow injection technology, combining a 7-port switching valve with a programmable positive
displacement pump to fill a sample loop directly from the autosampler probe (bypassing the
peristaltic pump) at a rate of up to 40 mL/min. The sample is rapidly loaded into the sample
loop, drastically reducing uptake delays, without affecting plasma stability. Furthermore,
the switching valve redirects rinse solution to the nebulizer as soon as the measurement
is complete. The result is a dramatic increase in sample throughput, providing typical time
savings of 50%.(1-3)
In order to maximize the sensitivity of the ICP at a 300μL/min nebulizer flow rate, the
IsoMistTM Programmable Temperature Spray Chamber was incorporated. Replacing the
ambient baffled cyclonic spray chamber with the IsoMist allows the ICP analyst to control the
temperature of the spray chamber, whether it be for cooling or heating, from -10 °C to +60
°C. The benefit of this is two-fold. First, simply stabilizing the spray chamber temperature
reduces the drift in transport efficiency that has been shown to occur in non-temperature
stabilized chambers.(4) Second, stabilizing the spray chamber at a temperature above
ambient increases transport efficiency and thus intensity; a feature that is particularly
important for samples with limited volume.(5-7)
Experimental
A Thermo iCAP 6500 Duo ICP-OES was used to compare the standard operating conditions
with the “souped up” configuration. The parameters for both configurations are listed in
Table 1. Note that the same plasma conditions are utilized for both sample introduction
systems. The only difference is the incorporation of the IsoMist and Niagara Plus CM.
New 2014 Catalogue
The new 2014 Glass Expansion catalogue
is now available and finding the most
suitable sample introduction system has
never been easier. A full list of the available
products for each of the most prevalent
ICP-OES and ICP-MS models is included.
There is also information on a wide range
of performance and productivity-enhancing
accessories and fittings. Please send
your mailing address to enquiries@geicp.
com and we will send you a catalogue
immediately.
Upcoming Exhibitions and
Conferences
A full range of Glass Expansion products
will be on display and Glass Expansion
specialists will be on hand to assist you at
the following exhibitions and conferences:
NYAAEL/PaAAEL Environmental
Conference and Exhibition, Corning,
NY, USA, July 21-22 (www.nyaael.org)
We will also be presenting “Optimizing
ICP-OES and ICP-MS Sample Introduction
Systems for Environmental Analysis” at the
Technical Session.
JASIS 2014, Tokyo, Japan, September 3
to 5. Booth # 4A-609
(www.jasis.jp/2014/en/)
SCIX Conference and Exhibition, Reno,
NV, USA, September 28-October 3,
Booth #12 (www.scixconference.org)
Gulf Coast Conference, Galveston, TX,
USA, October 14-15, Booth #1126
(www.gulfcoastconference.com)
In this issue:
• Application Spotlight...................1 – 3
• GE News..............................................1
• New Products.....................................4
• Instrument News..........................5 – 6
From Agilent
From Analytik Jena
From Horiba Jobin Yvon
www.geicp.com 1
/www.geicp.com
/(www.nyaael.org)
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/(www.scixconference.org)
/(www.gulfcoastconference.com)
/www.geicp.com
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