A study of on-line sample introduction to inductively coupled plasma spectrometry

Flow injection and liquid chromatographic sample introduction techniques have been coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The analytical performances of these combinations have been evaluated. Several applications have also been developed. The fundamental FI parameter, response dispersion coefficient (D$\rm\sb{r}),$ has been studied for various elements with FI-ICP-MS in multi-element detection mode. Some interesting phenomena were observed and possible explanations have been made. A recirculating loop FI manifold which provides on-line successive dilutions has been coupled to ICP-MS. The analytical performance of the manifold was evaluated. The dilution behavior of various elements was examined. The manifold was successfully applied to the recovery study of cerium in wine. Factors affecting the speed of the dilution process were also investigated. High performance liquid chromatography including ion exchange chromatography (IC) and reverse phase liquid chromatography have also been coupled to ICP-MS for selenium speciation in selenium-enriched vegetables. The methods developed efficiently identified and semi-quantified several biologically important selenium species. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods were addressed as well. Flow injection sample introduction has also been coupled to an axially viewed ICP-OES with a segmented - array charge - coupled device detector. Various traditional pneumatic nebulizer-spray chamber systems have been examined. The best nebulizer-spray chamber combination has been identified for FI-ICP-OES. Some experiments and data treatments have been conducted under the guidance of simulation in order to achieve better analytical figures of merit