Continuum source tungsten coil atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Atomic Spectroscopy

Background:

• Traditional atomic spectroscopy techniques can be expensive and complex.
• There is a need for cost-effective and simple instrumentation for elemental analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct and evaluate a simple continuum source tungsten coil atomic fluorescence spectrometer.
• To establish the feasibility of using a low-cost tungsten filament as an atomizer.
• To determine the detection limits for multiple elements using this novel system.

Main Methods:

• A tungsten filament from a light bulb was used as the atomizer, resistively heated by a constant-current power supply.
• The atomizer was housed in a glass chamber purged with 10% H(2)/Ar gas mixture.
• Sample aliquots were pipetted onto the coil, dried, and atomized. Atomic fluorescence was excited by a xenon lamp and detected with a charge-coupled device (CCD) spectrometer.

Main Results:

• Simultaneous determination of ten elements (Ag, Bi, Cr, Cu, Ga, In, Mg, Mn, Tl) was achieved.
• Detection limits ranged from 0.3 to 10 ng.
• Higher atomization currents allowed for straightforward detection of atomic emission signals without instrument modification.

Conclusions:

• A cost-effective and simple atomic fluorescence spectrometer was successfully constructed using a tungsten coil atomizer.
• The developed instrument demonstrates good performance with low detection limits for multiple elements.
• The system offers a promising alternative for elemental analysis, with potential for atomic emission detection as well.