A Novel Biological, Environmental, and Food Micro-Amount Slurry Samples Injection Technique for Simultaneous Quantification of Metals Using a Microwave Induced Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry

• Published in: Journal of analytical chemistry (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2023-12, Vol.78 (12), p.1741-1751
• Main Authors: Janeda, Michał, Pawłowski, Paweł, Ślachciński, Mariusz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Chemical properties; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Copper; Emission analysis; Emission spectroscopy; Manganese; Mathematical analysis; Measurement; Metallic elements; Microwaves; Optical emission spectroscopy; Parameters; Plasma; Plasma jets; Scientific imaging; Slurries; Slurry; Spectrometry
• ISSN: 1061-9348; 1608-3199
• DOI: 10.1134/S1061934823120079

A new discontinuous sample introduction system for simultaneous multi-elemental quantification of Ba, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sr, and Zn in micro-slurries ( SS ) by microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometry ( MIP OES ) has been described in this study. This method enables a rapid and direct (without prior sample decomposition) discontinuous injection of 10 µL of slurries into the plasma discharge. The small, concise portion of the sample was introduced at high pumping speed using a discrete micro-sample introduction system ( DMIS ) of slurries and pneumatic nebulizers ( PN ) for MIP OES detection. A direct sample injection of a 10 µL portion from a microsampling device using Babington-type pneumatic nebulizers, working at 1.2 mL/min pump speed, combined with miniaturized spray chamber was employed for efficient slurry transport to the plasma excitation source. The parameters of the suspension formation (concentration, stabilization), the injection system (volume, pumping speed) and the spectrometer operation have been optimized by the single variable and simplex methods. Analytical parameters (detection limits, absolute detection limits and precision of the DMIS-SS-PN-MIP OES arrangement were assessed for all tested elements and compared with a continues micro-nebulization assembly. The proposed method was successfully used for above the simultaneous determination of mentioned elements in four certified reference materials and four real samples.