Three methods of flame spectroscopic analysis have been investigated - atomic-fluorescence, atomic-absorption and flame-emission spectroscopy. The emphasis in the first part of this work has been on the development of the relatively new technique of atomic-fluorescence spectroscopy. This technique was found to be very sensitive and virtually free from all cation and anion interferences. The optimisation of the various operating parameters are described, and general methods for the measurement of atomic-fluorescence using commercially available sources are discussed. The preparation and operation of microwave excited electrodeless discharge tubes as atomic spectral line sources, for use in atomic-fluorescence and atomic-absorption spectroscopy, are fully described. These sources were found to be superior to commercially available atomic spectral line sources. Using electrodeless discharge tube sources, the fluorescence and absorption characteristics of 5 elements, in a variety of flames, have been determined. Sensitive methods of analysis for each of the 5 elements have also been developed. The second part of this work deals with new developments in flame-emission spectroscopy. The analysis of sulphur and phosphorus using the emission from unstable molecular species in a new type of 'cool flame' is described. The spectroscopic properties of the high temperature, low-background nitrous oxide-hydrogen flame are also investigated.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:623147 |
| Date | January 1968 |
| Creators | Thompson, Kenneth Clive |
| Publisher | Imperial College London |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/16121 |
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