[Study on enhancing effect of ethanol in lower power ICP]

The effects of ethanol on physical propesties (density, viscosity, surface tension) of sample solution, plasma temperature and electron number density in the ICP were investigated. Detection limits of varying elements in ethanol-water system were determined. The experimental results showed that the gas temperature, excitation temperature and electron number density were lower than those in water solution, the electron temperature and ionization temperature were slightly reduced, while the velocity of aerosol to the plasma increased. The lower detection limits of rare earth elements were observed. The detection limits of other elements were the same as those with water solution. The mechanism of the enhancing effect was discussed.