[Enhancing effect of ethanol additive on the plasma emission in ICP source]

In the present paper, the effects of the ethanol-water solution temperature (20, 40, and 60 degrees C) on the emission intensity of ICP source, plasma parameters (excitation temperature and electron density), physical properties (surface tension and viscosity) of sample solution, and nebulization (uptake rate, effective uptake rate and nebulization efficiency) were studied by using optical-to-electrical detection method. The experimental results showed that the velocity of the sample entering the plasma increased, so that the line intensity of the elements Zn, Fe, Mg, Si, and Sr in water increased obviously with increasing the content of ethanol and the rise of the corresponding solution temperature. And the excitation capacity in the plasma was strengthened with the rise of the ethanol-water solution temperature. The maximal spectrum intensity of the elements Zn, Fe, Mg, Si, and Sr at 60 degrees C was higher by 55.8%, 45.4%, 48.9%, 17.7%, and 21.6% than that at 20 degrees C, respectively. It's valuable for the detection of the trace element.