Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry — Optimization of the operating conditions in the determination of trace of elements in line-rich emission matrices

Radial viewing 40.68 MHz inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer was used in the determination of Y, Sc and rare earth elements in Eu2O3 or Lu2O3 as pure rare earth matrices. The Mg II 280.270 nm/Mg I 285.213 nm line intensity ratio was measured to evaluate the robustness of the operating conditions. The operating conditions were affected by varying the incident power and sheathing gas flow rate. The carrier gas flow rate remained a constant value. The relationship between the Mg II 280.270 nm/Mg I 285.213 nm ratio and the excitation temperature was obtained. A dependence of the magnesium ratio in the pure solvent and the corresponding values in the presence of the above matrices was established.Improvement of the detection limits was achieved by optimization of the operating conditions. The lowest detection limits were obtained under non-robust conditions in a pure solvent and in the presence of 10 mg ml− 1 Eu2O3 or Lu2O3, respectively. Comparative data on the detection limits based on two ICP systems are shown.