Optimization of the Operation Parameters of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer in the Determination of Arsenic and Antimony Concentrations

Values of operation parameters of an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP AES) (flow rate of sample carrying argon gas, flow rate of test solution supply to the discharge plasma, high-frequency power) are optimized for the determination of arsenic and antimony impurities in materials containing macroamounts of Fe, W, Mo, and Cr. It is found that the use of optimum operation parameters in the analysis leads to an increase in the intensity of the spectral lines As I at 189.042 nm and Sb I at 206.836 nm by 20 and 30%, respectively, relative to the values obtained under “standard” conditions. The mean values of the results of the ICP AES determination of the concentrations of arsenic and antimony in standard samples of the composition of ferrotungsten, ferromolybdenum, and alloy steel obtained at the optimized operation parameters of the spectrometer are closer to the certified values of analyte concentrations. The scatter of the results of analysis is reduced twofold in comparison to the values obtained with the spectrometer parameters recommended by the manufacturer.