ICP-AES (ICP-OES)

 Inductively coupled plasmas are at least 2X as hot

as flames or furnaces.
 The Ar plasma is the result of the flow of Ar ions in a
very strong, localized radio field.
 6000-10000 K are common.
 Hot enough to excite most elements so they emit
light.
 Hot enough to prevent the formation of most
interferences, break down oxides and eliminate
most molecular spectral interferences.
 The way to do atomic emission spectroscopy today.
 How does ICP work?
Radio frequency electrical current and associated magnetic field
Ionization of Ar gas (sparked by a Tesla coil)
Acceleration of ions and electrons by magnetic field
Energy in transferred from the electrons to the gas by collision so the
gas is heats up.
Production of high concentartion of both EXCITED ATOMS and ions
 Plasmas gas or

Three gases Support gas or

auxiliary gas
 How to measure temperature?
 The plasma is thermodynamic equilibrium
 Cannot characterize a single temperature
 Four temperatures can be used
 Excitation Temp (Texc): measure of population density of the
energy levels (Boltzman equilibrium)
 Ionization Temp (Tion): measure of population density of
different ionization states (Saha equilibrium)
 Electron Temp (Te): a measure of the kinetic energy of the
electrons (related to the velocity of free electrons)
 Gas Temp (Tg or T kinetic): a measure of the kinetic energy of
the atoms.

Tg < Texc < Tion < Te

N1/N0 = g1/go exp(∆E/kT)
 Hydride generation

3BH4- +3H+ +4H3AsO3 3H3BO3 + 4AsH3 + 3H20

 Performance characteristics
 Elements determined
 ~ 60 elements
 Line selection
 Most elements have several lines that can be selected
 Linear range
 Better than AAS
 Interferences
 Chemical interferences (lowered)
 Spectral interferences (still a problem)
 Detection limits
 Comparable or better than other atomic spectral
techniques