Micro-fluidics in Environmental Monitoring: Liquid Micro-samples by an In-Torch Vaporization - Micro-Plasma Device (ITV-MPD)

摘要

Among other advantages over their traditional, full-size counterparts, micro-plasmas present the possibility of cost savings due to a reduction in the flow-rate of expensive plasma support gases such as argon or helium. Despite their advantages, micro-plasmas are not often used becaude they cannot handle the relatively large sample loads produced by the traditional pneumatic nebulization sample introduction systems typically used in full-size plasmas when analyzing liquid samples. This paper describes steps taken to couple an in-torch vaporization (ITV) "dry" sample introduction system to a de micro-plasma (which has been designed around a micro-fluidics micro-channel) for use in environmental analysis of liquid micro-samples by atomic emission spectrometry (AES).