A novel device for powder sample introduction into the inductively coupled plasma and proposed strategy of powder sample preparation

A new yet classical approach of powder sample introduction into the inductively coupled plasma is presented. Internal standards were added to powder samples in solution form. The dried powder samples were dispersed using a high speed Ar stream in a custom-made powder dispersion device (PD). The construction and analytical performance of PD are described. Calibration curves are linear around 3 orders of magnitude for a set of synthetic geological standards. Curves of intensity ratio versus concentration for another set of certified reference materials of geological sediments with different matrices among the standards are obviously scattered. Possible errors in PD-ICP analysis are discussed. A strategy of sample preparation using wet-grinding to overcome such errors is proposed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.