CH0607 - AA AE Flashcards
Breaking down sample to atoms by burning that sample in a flame”
Flame Atomization
The process of converting a liquid sample into a fine spray mist of tiny droplets.
Nebulization
device that uses the flow of gas past the orifice of a capillary tube of small diameter; gas flow pulls the liquid from the capillary into the gas phase due to the reduced pressure (Venturi effect); surface tension of the liquid causes the column of liquid exiting the capillary to break apart into droplets.
Pneumatic Nebulizer
The process that evaporates the solvent leaving a solid/gas aerosol.
Desolvation
The process that vaporizes the aerosol gas leaving behind gaseous molecules.
Volatilization
The process that breaks down the gaseous molecules into its constituent atoms.
Atomization
An expression that relates the mean diameter of a nebulized droplet to: i) the viscosity of the analyte solution, ii) the density of the analyte solution, iii) the surface tension of the solvent, iv) the flow rate of the nebulizer gas, v) the flow rate of the aspirated solution, and vi) the velocity of the nebulizer gas.
Sauter Equation
Alternative to a pneumatic nebulizer that utilizes an ultrasonically driven crystal to vibrate the sample into droplets; tends to produce small, monodisperse droplet size distribution.
Ultrasonic Nebulizer
Alternative to flame atomization methods. consists of a cylindrical graphite tube equipped with optical windows at the ends; sample is added to the tube and dryed/ashed/atomized by electrical heating of the graphite tube to a final T ~3000 K.
Electrothermal / Graphite Furnace
Atomic spectroscopy background correction method using a continuum source (e.g. D2 lamp) in conjunction with a hollow cathode lamp line source; radiation from the HCL and D2 lamp is passes through a beam splitter or rotating chopper and the detector is synchronized such that it detects each signal separately,
Continuous Source Background Correction
Atomic spectroscopy background correction method using a strong magnetic field to split atomic energy levels; split components absorb polarized radiation from atomic transitions
Zeeman Background Correction
Atomic spectroscopy background correction method in which a magnetic field surrounds the sample and splits the sample atomic vapor into components
Analyte-Shifted Zeeman Background Correction
Atomic spectroscopy background correction method in which a magnetic field surrounds the source and splits the emission spectrum of the hollow cathode lamp source into components
Source-Shifted Zeeman Background Correction
Atomic spectroscopy background correction method using the properties of self-absorption or self-reversal behavior of hollow cathode lamps when operated at high current; high current with short pulse modulation (e.g. 500 mA, 0.3 ms) produces non-excited state atoms, quenching excited state species (background); low current (20 mA) produces total absorbance (background plus absorbance)
Smith-Hieftje / Source Self-Reversal Background Correction
Most common type of chemical interference in atomic spectroscopy where anions form compounds of low volatility and reduce the rate at which the analyte is atomized; typical for refractory oxide formation; these interferences can be reduced by using a fuel- rich flame to increase reducing species and restore free M atoms
Compound Formation Interferences
Type of interference common in atomic spectroscopy at high T’s especially with O2 or N2O as oxidant; the ion M+ possesses a different electronic configuration than the neutral metal atom M and will interfere with the desired atomic absorption and emission processes; these interferences can be reduced by adding an ionization buffer (i.e. a more easily ionized species) to the sample to shift the ionization equilibrium away from M+.
Ionization Interferences
Type of chemical interference in atomic spectroscopy due to formation of strong complexes in solution that don’t readily dissociate at flame temperatures; these interferences can be reduced by forming competing complexes with analyte metal M that will more easily dissociate in flame, e.g. La3+, EDTA, or H+.
Condensed Phase Chemical Interferences
Type of interference in atomic spectroscopy due to unwanted absorption or emission from molecular species, or from closely overlapping spectral lines of two analytes (very rare); solutions include changing fuel gas, increasing T, using appropriate background correction, and decreasing the slit width.
Spectral Interferences
Type of interference in atomic spectroscopy due to scattering, rather than absorption, of particles in the flame that are roughly the same size as the wavelength of light; solutions include increasing T, using appropriate background correction, and decreasing the slit width
Light Scattering
Type of interference in atomic spectroscopy where the observed spectrum is negatively affected by sample constituents; usually worse for solid samples and can be severe in methods such as graphite furnace AA, DC arc, or AC spark sources; cause is usually variation of rate of sample volatilization; solutions include using closely matched standards at increase T.
Matrix Effects
An electrically conducting gaseous mixture containing a large concentration of cations and electrons with a net charge = 0; Ar is the usual gas used but O2 is also possible.
Plasma
Name given when the power supply used to energize the plasma is a radiofrequency induction coil.
Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP)
Name given when the power supply used to initially energize the plasma is a direct current source.
Direct Current Plasma (DCP)
Name given when the power supply used to initially energize the plasma is a microwave generator.
Microwave-Induced Plasma (MIP)
Source for atomic emission spectrochemical analysis formed from graphite or metal electrodes a few mm apart; current (30 A, 200 V) is passed between these electrodes, causing high temperature (4000 – 5000 K) arcing and sample atomization.
Direct Current (DC) Arc
Source for atomic emission spectrochemical analysis formed from graphite or metal electrodes a few mm apart; typical operating conditions (10-50 kV , 1000 A instantaneous current) result in spark gap temperatures of 40,000 K.
Alternating Current (AC) Spark
What is Atomic Absorption?
sample absorbs external radiation
How does AA compare to molecular absorption
AA is the atomic analog of MA
What is Atomic Emission?
Does it require an external light source?
Energy (provided electrically) from external device excites sample, sample itself is the source, reemitted as it decays to ground
What is Atomic Fluorescence?
sample excited by absorption, reemits radiation of:
- a longer wavelength (stokes direct line fluorescence)
- a shorter wavelength (anti-stokes direct-line fluorescence)
- the same wavelenth (resonance fluorescence)
What is a hollow cathode lamp?
narrow line source at low pressure low temperature so there is no collision or doppler
What are the line widths produced by a hollow cathode lamp?
10e-2 to 10e-3 amps
Are black body sources used in AA?
nope, requirements are too strict
What is the role of the monochromator in AA?
filtering
Is beer’s law obeyed in AA?
it has to be, source bandwidth is less than sample bandwidth
What are the physical principles behind AE?
Energy from external source raises sample to excited state, emitting radiation directly upon relaxing to ground state
What is the source in AE?
The sample itself
How is the sample brought to the excited state in AE?
electrically (or by flame in flame AE)
What is the role of the monochromator in AE?
Select or separate wavelengths
What are the physical principles behind AF?
Atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS)is the emission of radiation energy in theUV-visible region from gas-phase atoms that have been excited to higher energy levels by absorption of radiant energy
What is the source in AF?
narrow line sources
Is high resolution needed in AF?
no
What determines the intensity distribution of atomic spectral lines (in atomic emission)?
population of excited energy levels
What is a Boltzmann distribution?
Population of energy levels at thermal equilibrium
What happens to the excited state population as wavelength decreases (delta E increases)?
decreases as wavelength decreases (delta E increases)
What happens to the excited state population as temperature increases?
Increases as temp increases
What are states of degeneracy?
multiple states exhibit the same energy
How are states of degeneracy applied to Boltzmann distribution?
Through g coefficient
What is the usual form of the sample in flame atomization?
liquid
What are the typical fuels used in AA?
natural gas, hydrogen, acetylene
What are the typical oxidants in AA?
oxygen, air, nitrous oxide
Fuel and oxidant combos?
A + Air, A + Nitrous oxide
How do flames contribute to the noise characteristics of an AA Instrument?
temperature and flicker
how can AA noise (due to unwanted atom emission) be controlled?
chopper and lock in
Control noise (from unwanted atomic emissions) in AA and AF
chopper between light and flame (modulation).
How do temperature changes affect AA intensity?
basically immune to changes in temperature because ground state is used
Absorption depends on ground state population, which has little dependence on temperature (refer to maxwell boltzmann equation).
How does temperature affect AE intensity?
Lower temperature => lower excited population (maxwell boltzmann) => lower emission intensity
How do the gas flow rates affect the ultimate sensitivity in AA and AE?
varied flame composition shifts detection region
How is desolvation usually accomplished?
evaporating solvent, relies on flame heat
What is vaporization?
solid to gas
What is atomization
ionic compound to atoms
Is there an optimum detection zone (in flame) for every element?
no, depends on atom and process
How is the detection zone (inside flame) optimized?
depends on atom and process. You can move the burner position
What is the most common burner design in AA/AE?
laminar flow, premixed burner
What are the most common problems with using flames in AA/AE?
inefficient nebulization, short atom residence time, fluctuating intensities because temperature too low for atomizing
how does graphite furnace AA compare with Flame AA?
hollow rod along optical path, flushed with inert gas. requires water cooled jacket
What type of samples are used in AF/AA
Liquid or Solid
What are the 3 phases in electrothermal atomization?
Drying (heat to evaporate solvent), Ashing (Raise t to break down), (cooling) and Atomization (flash heat to incandescent to produce atom population) (and finally cleaning and cooling)
how long is drying?
short, 20-30 seconds
how long is ashing?
Depends on time it takes to breakdown sample, but no more than that or it goes away.
How long is atomization?
more than 10e3 K per second
What are the advantages of electrothermal graphite furnace atomization?
long residence time, high sensitivity, low detection limit, low noise, small sample without pretreatment
What are the disadvantages of electrothermal graphite furnace atomization
matrix interference, slow heat causes uneven ashing, poorer precision than flames
What are the characteristics of flames used in AA?
preheating, primary, interconal, outer
What is the preheating zone?
cooler region of flame
What is the primary reaction zone?
oxidant and fuel reaction at non equilibrium, intense emission, not good for observations in AA and AE
what is the interconal zone?
hottest region, faint oxidant/fuel emissions, rich in atoms, best for observing AA/AE
What is the outer zone?
secondary reaction, usually not good for detection
How does background correction differ in atomic spectroscopy compared to UV/Vis?
no ready scanning to correct background noise, very wide spectral bandpass in wavelength selector relative to source
What are the two main types of interference common to atomic spectroscopy?
chemical and spectraul
What are some strategies for reducing chemical interference?
- Matrix matching between calibration standards and sample.
- Adding a “releasing agent” (a metal cation that tends to bind more easily to the analyte)
- Increase flame temperature to overcome chemical interference.
how do compounds of low volatility form with the analyte?
anions reduce atomization rate
How can light scattering be reduced?
increase temp, decrease slit width, appropriate background correction
What techniques make matrix contamination the worst? Why?
solid samples, DC arc, spark sources, graphite furnace AA because of variation of rate of volatilization
Strategies for reducing matrix effects
closely match standards, vary temp by changing fuel to oxidant ratio
What are the advantages of high energy sources?
can read decade wide concentration range, concentration of nonmetals, low refractory concentrations; dozens of spectra simultaneously; low interference
what are the disadvantages of high energy sources?
complicated, expensive, less precise, high operator involvement
What are the common gases used to produce plasmas
Mainly Ar, sometimes O2
What is the most common gas used to excite a plasma in AE?
Ar
What is a sequential ICP?
monochromator with photomultiplier/CCD detector
What is a multichannel ICP?
lots of photomultiplier tubes behind curved focal plane slits with fixed wavelength transmission
How are the characteristics of an Echelle grating different from regular grating?
very coarse, very large blaze angle, short blaze
Why are echelle gratings used in multichannel ICP?
high dispersion and resolution
What type of electrodes are used in arc sources?
nonmetals use carbon rod, metals use the sample itself, powder uses pellets
what are the typical operating conditions for arc sources?
1-30 A, DC = 200V, AC = 2200 - 4400, K = 4000-8000
What are the typical operating conditions for spark sources?
10-50kV, 1000 A instantaneous, spark gap K up to 40,000
What are the common conditions for generating ICP’S?
high temp, long residence time, high e density, form free atoms in almost inert environment, molecular species absent, optically thin, no electrodes, no explosives
How are plasmas generated in an ICP?
Ar gas, RF generator
Most common power supply for plasmas?
RF induction coil
Why are they called inductively couple plasmas?
energy is supplied by electric currents which are produced by electromagnetic induction
What are MIP’s?
microwave generator as power supply for energizing plasmas
What is nebulization ?
process of converting liquid sample to fine mist of tiny droplets
What is the primary nebulization method?
pneumatic
How is nebulization accomplished experimentally?
pneumatic: flow of gas past the orifice of inlet tube with small diameter pulls liquid into gas bc of reduced pressure. surface tension causes column of liquid exiting to break into droplets that collide into bigger ones. only small are useful
Venturi Effect
reduced pressure pulls liquid into gas phase
What is the efficiency of nebulization?
90-99% of sample goes down drain
What is the Sauter Equation
relates parameters (viscosity, density, etc) to droplet particle size
How is mean droplet diameter related to gas velocity?
diameter decreases as velocity increases