Elemental Analysis

Groups of elemental analysis methods: AAS methods, OES methods, AF methods, ICP-MS methods. Analytical characterization of the different methods, comparison the application area, element range and detection limits of the different methods.

Theoretical background of the methods. Atomic energy levels, excitation of free atoms and free ions, atomic spectra’s (emission, absorption, fluorescence). Principle of atomic emission, atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence method. Principle of ICP-MS method.

Sources of analytical atomic spectroscopy: flames, high voltage spark, glow discharge sources, electro thermal atomizer.

Processes taking part in emission sources, in free atom sources and in free ion sources of atomic spectroscopy. Solution sample introduction techniques into streaming gas type sources (flame, ICP). Principle of solution nebulization, construction of nebulizers and spray chambers for different applications.

Physical, chemical and spectrochemical processes in spectrochemical sources: principles of evaporation, atomization, ionization, excitation, emission, absorption, fluorescence. Atomic emission and absorption spectra of complex samples, background, background correction. Distribution of the total element concentration between free atomic, free ionic and molecular forms. Matrix effects, interferences, methods to study and control matrix effects.

Flame emission spectroscopy, flame photometry. Spark emission spectroscopy.

ICP-OES method: application, instrumentation. Main parts of ICP-OES instrument, function and construction. ICP-OES instrument with echelle polychromator. Presentation and study of the ICP-OES spectra of elements, separation of analytical lines, setting background correction method. Analytical function, calibration process.

Atomic absorption methods: applications, instrumentation. Construction principles of atomic absorption instruments using hollow cathode lamps or continuum type light source. Flame atomic absorption method, analytical application, instrumentation, method development. Graphite furnace atomic absorption method, analytical application, instrumentation, method development. Cold vapor mercury atomic absorption or atomic fluorescence method, instrumentation, application.

ICP-MS method: applications and instrumentation. Low resolution ICP-MS instrument, high resolution ICP-MS instrument. Interferences in ICP-MS analysis, interference from polyatomic ions, elimination of polyatomic ion interference using collision cell.