This document discusses inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), a technique used to detect chemical elements. ICP-OES uses inductively coupled plasma to produce excited atoms and ions that emit electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths specific to each element. The plasma is generated by inductive coupling from cooled electrical coils operating at megahertz frequencies, reaching temperatures of 6000-10,000 K. Sample solutions are nebulized and injected into the argon plasma, where atoms are excited and emit light proportional to their concentration, which is measured by a spectrometer. Typical applications include environmental testing, food and drinks analysis, materials testing, and healthcare.

1. OML751 TESTING OF MATERIALS
M.KARTHIKEYAN
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
AAA COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, SIVAKASI
karthikeyan@aaacet.ac.in

2. UNIT V OTHER TESTING
1. Thermal Testing: Differential scanning calorimetry,
2. Differential thermal analysis. Thermo-mechanical and
3. Dynamic mechanical analysis:
4. Chemical Testing: X-Ray Fluorescence
5. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy and
6. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry.

3. INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA-OPTICAL
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
 Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-
AES), also referred to as inductively coupled plasma optical
emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), is an analytical technique
used for the detection of chemical elements.
 It is a type of emission spectroscopy that uses the inductively
coupled plasma to produce excited atoms and ions that
emit electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths characteristic of
a particular element.
 The plasma is a high temperature source of ionized source gas
(often argon).

4.  The plasma is sustained and maintained by inductive coupling
from cooled electrical coils at megahertz frequencies.
 The source temperature is in the range from 6000 to 10,000 K.
 The intensity of the emissions from various wavelengths of light
are proportional to the concentrations of the elements within
the sample.

6. PRINCIPLE
 The solution to analyze is conducted by a peristaltic pump
though a nebulizer into a spray chamber.
 The produced aerosol is lead into an argon plasma. Plasma is the
forth state of matter, next to the solid, liquid and gaseous state.
 In the ICP-OES the plasma is generated at the end of a quarts
torch by a cooled induction coil through which a high frequency
alternate current flows.
 As a consequence, an alternate magnetic field is induced which
accelerated electrons into a circular trajectory.
 Due to collision between the argon atom and the electrons
ionization occurs, giving rise to a stable plasma.

7.  The plasma is extremely hot, 6000-7000 K. In the induction
zone it can even reach 10000 K.
 In the torch desolvation, atomization and ionizations of the
sample takes place.
 Due to the thermic energy taken up by the electrons, they reach
a higher "excited" state.
 When the electrons drop back to ground level energy is liberated
as light (photons).
 Each element has an own characteristic emission spectrum that
is measured with a spectrometer.
 The light intensity on the wavelength is measured and with the
calibration calculated into a concentration.

8. TYPICAL INDUSTRIES USING ICP-OES
 Environmental testing
 Food and drinks
 Materials
 Minerals
 Glass, ceramics and refractories
 Healthcare.

9. ICP’s principle is similar to which of the following?
Flame emission spectroscopy
Fourier transforms spectroscopy
Atomic emission spectroscopy
Absorption spectroscopy
MCQ - 1

10. Liquid samples are introduced into the ICP spectrometer
using which of the following?
Nebulizer
Curvette having glass windows
Probe
Laser ablation system
MCQ -2

11. What is the typical energy of the electrons used to ionize
analytes by Electron Ionization (EI)?
50 eV
70 eV
1 eV
1000 eV
MCQ - 3

12. Which of the following are used for analyzing elements?
a. Gas Chromatograph
b. Inductively coupled plasma
c. High performance liquid chromatograph
MCQ - 4

13. The most common type of ion detector found in ICP system
is which of the following?
Faraday cup collector
Channeltron
Micro-channel plate
Flame ionization detector
MCQ -5