Qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis in ICP-AES using multivariate calibration

Abstract

This paper describes a two step algorithm for qualitative and semiquantitative analysis in inductively coupled plasma—atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) including the preceding data acquisition. Sample and calibration spectra were recorded in 0.05 nm spectral windows centered about the most prominent lines of the 49 covered elements. In the first step of the analysis of an unknown sample spectrum it is decided which of these elements can be excluded from further operations because of the absence of their most prominent lines applying a multivariate criterion for peak detection. For the remaining elements quantitative analysis is performed via multivariate calibration taking into consideration the most prominent line of each element and possibly interfering lines of those elements which were not found absent during the first step. After the estimation of the element concentrations multivariate detection limits are used as criterion for the presence of an element. Results for six synthetic samples of increasing complexity prepared from standard solutions and three standard reference materials are given.