This research, supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program will develop an improved understanding of electrothermal vaporization (ETV). The project, led by Professor James Holcombe of the University of Texas at Austin will lead to improved ETV that will be used as a sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses. Direct performance improvements will result in multi-element analyses from a single vaporization, a multiplexed system for increased throughput, and optimized sample transport. Also, fundamental studies using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high energy electron diffraction (HEED) as well as Monte Carlo modeling methods will characterize and determine the importance of parameters that control relative ionization/ion transport efficiency of analytes. Improvements in ultratrace level analysis of will result from this research
This project will develop improvements in ultratrace analysis by improving the sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses. This will increase the ability to detect trace impurities in environmental and other samples.
