A New Enhanced Nebulizer System for Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) can provide single-digit and sub-ppb detection limits for many elements. A signal enhancement technique is required to achieve detection limits of <1ppb; necessary for elements such as As, Sb, Se, TI and Pb. A new enhanced nebulizer system couples a medium -flow (~0.5mL/min) pneumatic nebulizer with a specialized heated spray chamber / desolvation system desolvation system (patent pending) to increase sample transport (patent pending) to increase sample transport efficiency to the ICP. Analyte transport efficiency is typically up to 5 times with a similar reduction in detection limits. This study investigates the parameters of the equipment including nebulizer gas flow, spray chamber heater temperature and condenser temperature. System performance criteria such as element signal enhancement, detection limits, and stability will be described.