Publication Date

1985

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Carnahan, Jon W.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Chemistry

LCSH

Plasma chemistry; Atomic spectra; Plasma (Ionized gases)

Abstract

In the past several years, chemists have examined the use of argon, helium and nitrogen plasmas for elemental analysis. This thesis describes the development and analytical behavior of a system which maintains an atmospheric pressure air microwave-induced plasma (AirMIP). Utilizing a 500-watt microwave generator and an internally tuned Beenakker cavity, the system contains air and nitrogen plasmas in a novel torch assembly similar to that of the inductively coupled plasma. With both molecular gas plasmas, the system provides intense elemental emission from pneumatically nebulized solutions. The analytical characteristics of several representative elements were examined with the AirMIP. Parameters examined include calibration curve linearity, emission intensity at several emission lines for each element and detection limits. Also, common analytical interferences (easily ionizable elements, complexing anions, etc.) were characterized. The spectral temperature of the AirMIP and the N2MIP were determined to be approximately 5900 K and 5800 K, respectively. However, the AirMIP exhibits strong correlations between analyte metal-oxygen bond dissociation energies and analytical signal intensity. Data implied that elements with high metal-oxygen bond strengths were poorly atomized.

Comments

Bibliography: pages 97-100

Extent

vii, 100 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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