MATRIX INTERFERENCES OBSERVED WITH A THERMOSPRAY SAMPLE INTRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA ATOMIC EMISSION-SPECTROMETRY

Matrix interferences due to the presence of metallic ions were studied for a thermospray sample introduction system used with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Corresponding results obtained with a V-groove nebulizer indicated that the interferences were more pronounced in the thermospray system. In the presence of mineral acids (HCI, HCIO4 and H3PO4), similar interferences were observed for the thermospray sample introduction system and the V-groove nebulizer. The excitation temperature of the plasma was about 500 K lower when the sample was introduced in the form of a thermospray. The electron density was also lower when using the thermospray system.