Rapid Multielement Sample Screening Using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry

An inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) methodology has been developed that enables it to cost-effectively screen samples for up to 70 elements.

Developed to provide a rapid semiquantitative screen of 70 elements from beryllium to uranium, the automated ICP-OES methodology compares measured intensities to the intensities of traceable standards to obtain the elemental concentrations in the unknown sample. Multiple analytic wavelengths are used to avoid spectral interferences.

Using solid or liquid samples (< 500 mg), the screening methodology is able to provide rapid elemental detection down to one ppm. For materials, such as metal oxides, metallic catalysts, polymers, and geochemical materials that do not dissolve well by traditional means--high pressure microwave digestion apparatus is used to effectively and rapidly digest samples ready for ICP-OES analysis. Experimental data are reprocessed to improve quality of results.

Operating in an ISO 17025 and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-accredited environment following strict operating procedures, Warwick Analytical Service (WAS; Coventry, UK) has developed a reputation for accurate and precise determination of trace metals in organic materials using ICP-OES. Equipped with modern high resolution ICP instrumentation, Warwick Analytical Service is able to resolve the most complex spectra and routinely analyze even the most difficult samples. Detection limits are low for most elements (typically < 10 ppb) and multielement determinations can be achieved rapidly and precisely.

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