Elimination of the memory effects of gold, mercury and silver in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy

Abstract

The memory effects of mercury, gold and silver are eliminated by the use of sulfur containing complexing agents. In low concentrations (1 mg ml 21 ) of mercury and gold, the addition of 2% L-cysteine gives wash-out times of less than 1 min for both elements. At higher concentrations of gold and mercury, and at low concentrations of silver, the reagent is less effective. Thiourea, at a concentration of 1%, eliminates the memory effects of silver, also giving wash-out times of approximately 1.5 min. The use of thiourea with higher concentrations (100 mg ml 21 ) of mercury and gold delivers wash-out times of 1 min and 2 min, respectively. In a matrix similar to that found in many samples, the wash-out time for gold is less than 3.5 min and less than 2 min for mercury.

Determination of Gold in e‐Waste Dust Samples and Geological Matrices by ICP‐MS after Extraction by an HClO4‐HBr‐HI‐Aqua Regia Mixture

“…Similar memory effects have also been described in ICP-OES (e.g., Chen et al 2000). Similar memory effects have also been described in ICP-OES (e.g., Chen et al 2000).…”

“…Both atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) were and are still extensively used for this purpose (e.g., Greaves 1963, Garciaolalla and Aller 1991, Hoang et al 1998, Fazelirad et al 2014. Plasma-source instrumental techniques (ICP-OES and ICP-MS) have been used to determine gold in more recent times (e.g., Oguri et al 1999, Chen et al 2000, Juvonen et al 2002, Savard et al 2010. These are versatile and very sensitive multi-element detection techniques that enable trace and ultra trace determination.…”

Overcoming challenges in single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurement of silver nanoparticles

“…The initial signal drift in water was improved by increasing the sample stabilization time from 30 s to 90 s, but at Ag mass fractions ≤ 1 ng g −1 the response for Ag + in water was reduced compared to acidified standards (Fig. S3), possibly due to nonspecific analyte adsorption onto the sample vessel or sample introduction system of the ICP- MS [45, 46]. The response of Ag + in water was comparable to that in 2 % HNO 3 for mass fractions 2 ng g −1 Ag and greater.…”

On the use of certified reference materials for assuring the quality of results for the determination of mercury in environmental samples

“…It should be mentioned, however, that the possible loss of mercury, due to its volatility during digestion or its ability for adsorption on the tubes’ walls of ICP MS sample introduction system, has to be considered. The last could be responsible for the memory effect; thus, several reagents (e.g., L-cysteine, thiourea, or gold chloride) were used to minimize it (Chen et al 2000; Harrington et al 2004; Li et al 2006). …”