A HIGH-PERFORMANCE FLOW HYDRAULIC HIGH-PRESSURE NEBULIZATION SYSTEM (HPF/HHPN) IN FLAME-AAS FOR IMPROVED ELEMENTAL TRACE DETERMINATION IN HIGHLY CONCENTRATED SALT-SOLUTIONS

In comparison with classical pneumatic nebulization, a high performance flow/hydraulic high pressure (performance) nebulization (HPF/HHPN sample introduction system) provides for considerably lower matrix interferences as well as higher sensitivity. For copper determination in saturated NaCl solution the signal depression comes only up to 4% (47% with pneumatic nebulization). Applying HHPN sample introduction the sensitivity is 3.7 fold higher in signal height and 7.5 fold higher in signal area (determination of Cu-traces in saturated NaCl solution, 30% w/v). The detection limits are lowered by a factor of about 4. Over an examination period of 3 hr, the relative standard deviation amounts to 3-6% (determination of element traces in saturated solutions of NaCl, LiBO2, KH2PO4).