Effects of organic acids and solvents in inductively-coupled plasma emission spectrometry

Abstract

Spectral interferences of the CN band emissions with the analytical lines of rare earths and yttrium were examined in the presence of organic acids or solvents in aqueous sample solutions. The CN band intensity varied with the organic substances as well as with plasma operating conditions. Spectral line intensities of rare earths and yttrium were enhanced by the presence of ethanol, acetone or acetic acid, but suppressed by citric acid. The effects of organic substances on sample uptake rates and intensity distributions along the plasma axis were also investigated.