Multi-element optimization of the operating parameters for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with a charge injection device detector for the analysis of samples dissolved in organic solvents

Abstract

A multi-element optimization of the operating parameters for simultaneous ICP-AES with a CID detector for the analysis of samples dissolved in organic solvents was carried out. Some statistical experimental designs were used to evaluate the influence of the operating parameters on the effect of volatile organic solvents and to obtain the best plasma conditions for multi-element analysis. The lower limit of detection was used as the optimization criteria. A factorial study showed that nebulizer pressure is the factor that strongly affects the signal- to-root background ratio of the elements under study. The best operating conditions of the plasma for simultaneous determination were obtained using some objective functions reported in the literature. A multi-element analysis of NIST SRM 1085 a Wear Metals in Oil was accomplished using the plasma operating conditions established by the simultaneous optimization. No statistically significant differences were observed between the measurements made and the certified values. The precision of the method was in the range 1–3% expressed as RSD percentage.