Description of ICP Optical Emission Spectrometry

(ICP-OES)
1. Introduction

It has been 25 years since ICP optical emission spectrophotometers (ICP-OES) began to be
widely used, and is now one of the most versatile methods of inorganic analysis. Its features
are often compared to atomic absorption spectrophotometers. Compared to atomic
absorption spectrophotometers, in which the excitation temperature of air-acetylene flame
measures 2000 to 3000 K, the excitation temperature of argon ICP is 5000 to 7000 K, which
efficiently excites many elements. Also, using inert gas (argon) makes oxides and nitrides
harder to be generated.

2. ICP Optical Emission Spectrometry Principle

ICP, abbreviation for Inductively Coupled Plasma, is one method of optical emission
spectrometry. When plasma energy is given to an analysis sample from outside, the
component elements (atoms) are excited. When the excited atoms return to low energy
position, emission rays (spectrum rays) are released and the emission rays that correspond
to the photon wavelength are measured. The element type is determined based on the
position of the photon rays, and the content of each element is determined based on the
rays' intensity.
To generate plasma, first, argon gas is supplied to torch coil, and high frequency electric
current is applied to the work coil at the tip of the torch tube. Using the electromagnetic field
created in the torch tube by the high frequency current, argon gas is ionized and plasma is
generated. This plasma has high electron density and temperature (10000K) and this energy
is used in the excitation-emission of the sample. Solution samples are introduced into the
plasma in an atomized state through the narrow tube in the center of the torch tube.

3. Analytical Chemical Features of ICP-OES

The following features of ICP-OES distinguish it from atomic absorption spectrophotometers

used for similar purposes.

1. Simultaneous, sequential analysis of multiple elements possible

2. Wide linear region of analytical curve
3. Few chemical interference or ionization interference, making analysis of high-matrix
samples possible
4. High sensitivity (low limit of detection for majority of elements is 10ppb or lower)
5. High number of measurable elements - elements that are difficult to analyze in
atomic absorption spectrometry such as Zr, Ta, rare earth, P and B can be easily analyzed
6. Stable
The majority of the above features are derived from the structure and characteristics of the
light source plasma.

4. Equipment

Equipment for ICP optical emission spectrometry consists of a light source unit, a
spectrophotometer, a detector and a data processing unit. There are several types of
equipment based on differences in the Spectrophotometer and the detector. The most
common type is shown in Figure 1.

1) Sequential type
A spectrophotometer with a Czerny-Turner monochrometor, and a detector with a
photomultiplier is most common for this type. With this equipment, programmed wavelength
of the spectrophotometer is consecutively varied to measure multiple elements. This causes
rather long measuring time, however, with its high resolution spectrophotometers, it is
favorable for measurement of high-matrix samples.

Figure 1: Sequential Type ICP-OES

2) Simultaneous Type
This type typically uses an echelle cross disperser in spectrophotometers and semi-
conductor detector such as CCD for the detector. Echelle cross disperser disperses light of
measurable wavelength range two-dimensionally by combining prism and echelle diffraction
grating. Combination of echelle cross disperser and a CCD detector enables multi-element
measurement at any wavelength. The most notable feature of this equipment is the high-
speed measurement, providing information on all 72 measurable elements in measurements
of 1 to 2 minutes normally.
 Figure 2: Simultaneous ICP-OES

5. Applications

3) Steel Analysis
One major application field of ICP optical emission spectrometry is material analysis. The
below example is an analysis of a steel sample.

*
Equipment: Sequential Type ICP-OES, SPS3000
*
Sample: JSS Standard Steel Sample 150, 0.5g dissolved in 100ml mixed acid of chloric acid
and nitric acid.
*
Standard solution: 0.5g pure iron (99.99%), dissolved into 100ml solution is used as blank,
and the standard curve is created by standard solutions of 8 measured elements (matrix
matching).
*
Analysis conditions: With a high-matrix sample such as this, spectral overlap with the matrix
element (iron in this case) occurs, so the spectral profile is inspected and the most suitable
analysis wavelength is chosen for measurement.
*
Analysis result: The results from the 3 measured samples and the certified value of the
standard sample is shown on the chart, showing extremely good matches.
Chart1: Analysis result of high tensile structural steel series

Sample 500-2 501-2 502-2

Element Certified Measured Certified Measured Certified Measured

 value value value value value value

Si 0.29 0.29 0.27 0.22 0.26 0.22

Mn 0.49 0.50 0.74 0.74 0.70 0.70

P 0.025 0.025 0.024 0.024 0.019 0.019

Ni 0.10 0.10 0.062 0.059 0.050 0.046

Cr 1.10 1.11 1.03 1.04 1.00 1.00

Mo 0.19 0.19 0.17 0.17 0.18 0.17

Cu 0.12 0.12 0.10 0.11 0.068 0.068

V 0.006 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.004 0.004

unit:%

2) Bastnasite Analysis
Bastnasite is a mineral of lanthanide rare earth type. There are many issues with analyzing
rare earth with atomic absorption spectrophotometers, such as difficulty to obtain a light
source lamp and difficulty with atomization due to oxides easily generated from rare earths,
but these problems are eliminated for the most part with ICP-OES, which is widely used in
this field. One major difficulty with analyzing rare earths is that they tend to have a high
number of emission rays and has a high possibility of interference by nearby rays on the
analysis wavelength.

*
Analysis conditions: 0.5g Bastnasite is dissolved into 100ml with hydro fluoric acid, nitric acid
and hydrogen peroxide solution.
*
Analysis result: Analysis of non-rare earth and rare earth elements is shown on the chart
below. Quantitative determination is conducted from 30% concentration cerium oxide to
0.11% europium oxide.
Chart 2: Analysis result of Bastnasite
unit:%

3) Hair analysis
Human hair has attracted attention because it is thought to contain a person's health history
on some level and is thought to act as an excretory organ for heavy metal in the body.
However, there are problems because there are few usable samples and knowledge about
multiple elements is required. With simultaneous analysis equipment, we can collect useful
information with a small amount of sample.

*
Equipment: Simultaneous ICP-OES, Vista-PRO
*
Sample: After washing, 0.5g of hair is measured, and then resolved in a decomposition vessel
with nitric acid into 10ml solution.
Partial spectral profile and analysis results shown below.
Analysisi Result

unit: g/g

6. Conclusion

ICP optical emission spectrometry is now highly rated as a multipurpose analysis technique
and there are over 2,000 units of ICP-OES in use in Japan. It is well regarded as an
environmental measurement technique, along with atomic absorption spectrometry and ICP
mass spectrometry, and its use is expected to expand even further in the future.