More Informationen About Nebulizers for ICP-MS / OES

In analysis with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), the nebulizer is an essential component of the ICP instrument's sample introduction system. It converts the liquid sample into a fine aerosol that is transported into the spray chamber and subsequently into the plasma.

AHF analysentechnik offers nebulizers from various manufacturers (e.g., Glass Expansion, Burgener Research, ESI) in different designs and materials. This allows to choose the nebulizer that best suits your application and sample material. The range includes:

Concentric Glass Nebulizers

Areas of Application

• For aqueous solutions that do not contain hydrofluoric acid
• Salt content up to 25%
• For organic solvents

Glass Nebulizers Models

• Conikal nebulizers: For samples with TDS (total dissolved solids) less than 5% and without particles. The Conikal is available with standard sample rates of 1, 2 and 3 ml/min and is usually used for ICP-OES.
• MicroMist nebulizers: Ideal nebulizer for ICP-MS with low sample volume between 0.05 and 0.6 mL/min.
• SeaSpray nebulizers: For samples with TDS up to 25%, the Seaspray is the best choice. It tolerates higher matrices than Conikal and MicroMist and even particulates up to 75 µm. Furthermore it produces a very fine aerosol. This helps getting a better sensitivity for many samples.
• Slurry nebulizers: Tolerates particles up to 150 µm. This makes it a good choice for i.e. analysis of metal abrasion in oils. Available standard sample rate is 6 ml/min.
• Quartz nebulizers: Used to achieve lower blanks for elements contained in borosilicate glass or for samples containing high amounts of sulphuric acid.

Cleaning Tool for Glass Nebulizers

Over time deposits from the sample can accumulate in the nebulizer capillary. So, the nebulizer should be cleaned regularly to keep it in a good condition. The glass capillary is prone to break, therefore ultrasonic baths aren’t suitable for cleaning glass nebulizers.

Glass Expansion has developed a tool, called ELUO, for safe and easy cleaning of their nebulizers. It can also be ordered via AHF analysentechnik. Nebulizers can be safely fixed in the holder of the Eluo. In the second step, solvent is filled into the syringe reservoir and then flushed through the nebulizer. In a few simple steps, obstructions can be removed from the nebulizer. Please contact us for more information about the best way to clean your nebulizer.

Concentric Plastic Nebulizers

Areas of Application

• For samples containing hydrofluoric acid (HF), as HF attacks glass nebulizers
• High-purity ultra-trace analysis (nebulizer made of PFA fluoropolymer)

Plastic nebulizers from are suitable especially for probes containing aggressive acids, like hydrofluoric acid, that is damaging glass. For samples containing less than 5% hydrofluoric acid, the DuraMist nebulizer series made from PEEK (handles high TDS up to 30%) or the Polypro made from PP can be used.

Plastic Nebulizer Models

• DuraMist nebulizer made of PEEK: For hydrofluoric acid contents <5% (also suitable for high salt contents up to 30% TDS)
• PolyPro nebulizer made of PP: For hydrofluoric acid contents <5%
• OpalMist nebulizer made of PFA: For hydrofluoric acid contents >5%
• MicroFlownebulizer made of PFA: For hydrofluoric acid contents >5%

Nebulizers made of PFA have the additional advantage of reducing disruptive blank values in your measurement, as PFA is an inert and highly pure fluoropolymer. It is therefore particularly well suited for use in highly sensitive ultra-trace analysis, where lowest element traces must be detected. For the smallest sample quantities, some MicroFlow models are available with a fixed sample capillary.

Parallel Path Nebulizers

Areas of Application

• Samples with very high salt content
• Samples containing large particles
• Coupling techniques

Due to their large sample capillary diameter, parallel path nebulizers are very well suited for analyzing samples with high salt content and larger particles. Since even the smallest sample quantities can be nebulized well using parallel path technology, nebulizer models are also available that have been specially developed for coupling methods.

Working Principle of Parallel Path Nebulizers

The sample is pumped through the nebulizer capillary to the nebulizer tip. Due to surface tension, the liquid does not flow out of the capillary, but is drawn into the gas stream by the gas flow via a channel, where it is atomized. The nebulizers are not self-priming, so the sample must be pumped in.

Features of Parallel Path Nebulizers

• No tendency to block, even with high salt loads
• Tolerate high amounts of undissolved particles without plugging
• High long-term stability and sensitivity
• Large range of flow rate
• Available in the following materials: PEEK, PTFE, and PFA

Special Nebulizer Models

For application with high amounts of dissolved solids or particles

• For Scott spray chambers: Cross-Flow nebulizer
• V-Groove nebulizers: Noordermeer und VeeSpray
• »Modified Lichte Nebulizer« (MLN) for a special spray chamber