Analysis of Aluminum by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) is applied in the determination of 21 elements in primary, refined, and alloy aluminum. Rapid and reliable sample preparation procedures are developed. Spectral lines are selected after examination of experimental wavelength scans at each analyte wavelength. The limits of detection, background equivalent concentration, and analytical figures of merit are determined. For high silicon-containing aluminum, HF solutions were analyzed by employing an inert nebulizer utilizing polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) capillary tubes, a PTFE spray chamber, and an ICP torch with a graphite injector tube.