Conversion of an ultrasonic humidifier to a continuous-type ultrasonic nebulizer for atomic spectrometry

• Published in: Analytical chemistry (Washington) Vol. 62; no. 24; pp. 2745 - 2749
• Main Authors: Clifford, Robert H, Montaser, Akbar, Dolan, Scott P, Capar, Stephen G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 15.12.1990
• Subjects: 400102 - Chemical & Spectral Procedures; ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY; Analytical chemistry; Chemistry; DATA; Exact sciences and technology; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; HUMIDIFIERS; INFORMATION; INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; MEASURING METHODS; NUMERICAL DATA; SAMPLE PREPARATION; SENSITIVITY; Spectrometric and optical methods; SPECTROSCOPY; Sensitivity; Chemical analysis; Detection limit; Pneumatic nebulization; Instrumentation; Standard deviation; Inductive coupling plasma spectrometry; Comparative study; Signal to noise ratio; Atomic absorption spectrometry
• ISSN: 0003-2700; 1520-6882
• DOI: 10.1021/ac00223a019

The most commonly used solution nebulizers (1) in atomic spectrometry are: (a) pneumatic nebulizers (PNs), (b) ultrasonic nebulizers (USNs), and (c) glass frit nebulizers (GFNs). Most PNs are extremely inefficient because the majority of test solution (98-99%) is directed to the drain. In this report, the authors describe simple conversion of an inexpensive (approximately %50), commercial ultrasonic humidifier to a continuous-type ultrasonic nebulizer suitable for analytical atomic spectrometry. The total cost of the proposed system used in the batch or continuous mode is less than $800. The new USN was compared to a commonly used PN with respect to atomic emission detection limits, precision of the analyte signal, signal-to-background ratios (S/B), percent relative standard deviation (% RSD) of background, droplet size, and noise power spectra (NPS). Detection limits obtained with the new system were also compared to results reported for commercial USNs (11-13).