Several approaches to sample preconcentration combined with sample introduction by Direct Sample Insertion (DSI) into the Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) for ultra trace elemental analysis have been developed. A microcolumn based flow injection (FI) manifold was used with ICP Mass Spectrometry (MS) but performance was adversely affected by high and variable blank levels. / Physical preconcentration by depositing the sample as an aerosol into an inductively heated graphite DSI probe yielded detection limit improvements of over two orders of magnitude for ICP Atomic Emission Spectrometry (AES). Instrumentation was developed to automate the aerosol deposition preconcentration process, and this apparatus was used in conjunction with ICP-MS. Several of the aerosol deposition, DSI, and ICP parameters that impact on the performance of the technique were studied. Detection limit improvements averaged two orders of magnitude, and analysis of a river water reference material for 10 elements gave good results even at the part per trillion (pg ml$ sp{-1}$) level. / Investigations into direct analysis of the analyte-laden chelating resin by DSI-ICP-AES were carried out. It was clearly demonstrated that the determination of volatile elements was adversely affected by the effect of the pyrolysis products of the resin on the plasma excitation conditions.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.28892 |
| Date | January 1995 |
| Creators | Rattray, V. Robin (Vaughn Robin) |
| Contributors | Salin, Eric (advisor) |
| Publisher | McGill University |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Coverage | Doctor of Philosophy (Department of Chemistry.) |
| Rights | All items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. |
| Relation | alephsysno: 001460223, proquestno: NN05779, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest. |
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