The Introduction of Powdered Solid Samples as Aerosols into the Inductively Coupled Plasma

Abstract

A powder disperser has been developed in these laboratories for the introduction of powdered solid samples, as aerosols, into the ICP. The operation is based on a two-step process, whereby the formation of the aerosol is separated temporally and physically from the introduction of the aerosol into the ICP. The operating parameters chosen for the PCW-powder disperser determine the period of time that the aerosol is delivered to the ICP. Typical times are between 15 seconds and 2 minutes. The plasma remains stable throughout the experiment. The design and theory of operation of the device are outlined. Preliminary studies are divided into two parts: (1) the optimization of the generation and the delivery of the aerosol to the plasma and (2) the optimization of the plasma operating parameters. Factors affecting the generation and the delivery of the aerosol to the plasma are discussed. The data suggest that this method and device may be applicable for the analysis of finely divided, nonhygroscopic solid samples using ICP-AES; however, it is not practical for use with samples that are not well suited for grinding into small particle sizes, such as alloys.