A microwave assisted desolvation system based on the use of a TM010 cavity for inductively coupled plasma based analytical techniques

Abstract

A new microwave assisted desolvation system based on the use of a TM010 cavity (MWDS2) has been developed and evaluated in plasma based analytical techniques: inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The new design overcomes the main experimental drawbacks shown by previous designs based on the use of domestic ovens: (i) lack of control on microwave generation and application; and (ii) inappropriate MW cavity characteristics. The evaluation has been performed in terms of the effect of the incident microwave power and the sample uptake rate and the results obtained has been compared with those afforded by a conventional sample introduction system (nebulizer and double pass spray chamber) and a desolvation system based on the use of a domestic microwave oven (MWDS). The new MWDS2 give rise to higher analytical signals and lower limits of detection and stabilization times (2–3 times) than those obtained with the MWDS in ICP-AES and ICP-MS.