Inorganic trace analysis refers to an analysis method that can measure samples with less than one part per million components, and this method has high sensitivity. Reagents are needed in the whole inorganic trace analysis process. The reagents used in inorganic trace analysis have great influence on the measured results, and sensitive trace analysis applications require extremely pure sample preparation reagents. Therefore, these reagents are not allowed to contain metal ions or other impurities.
Generally used reagents in inorganic trace analysis include nitric acid (HNO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), perchloric acid (HClO4), hydrofluoric acid (HF), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH) and others.
Application fields
Reagents for inorganic trace analysis can be used in many fields, such as graphite furnace AAS, flame AAS, ion chromatography, and the others.
Graphite furnace AAS: Matrix modifiers are generally used in graphite furnace AAS. Depending on the element to be determined, various matrix modifiers are used. However, palladium nitrate has become one of the most popular. When an analyte is highly volatile, or the analyte and matrix volatilize at similar temperatures, chemical modification should be considered and the matrix modifiers can be used. A primary criterion for such substances is the absence of the element to be analyzed.
Flame AAS: In flame AAS, in order to suppress physical, ionization and chemical interferences, spectroscopic buffers are often used. Especially in the determination of alkali elements, spectroscopic buffers have become particularly important. Excellent spectroscopic buffers can enable the method to be expanded to include up to 14 mono- and divalent elements.
Ion chromatography: Ion chromatography (IC) is an analytical technique that is used to separate and quantify ppm-levels of common anions (e.g. fluoride, chloride, nitrite, nitrate, and sufate) and cations (e.g. ammonium and earth alkali ions) in aqueous samples. Separation occurs via differential interaction with an ion-exchange resin. Conductivity is the most common detection method. The sensitivity of IC makes it ideal for low ppm level quantification and also for trace analysis. Therefore, in the process of analysis, high purity eluents and well-defined standards are demanded.
Others: In addition to the above mentioned, reagents for inorganic trace analysis can also be used in other fields. For example, voltammetry is predominantly used for inorganic trace analysis of anions and cation. The most important fields of application of inorganic determinations are in metallurgy, environmental analysis, food analysis, toxicology, and clinical analysis. This technique is also a preferred method for the determination of certain metal separations, such as Fe(II)/Fe(III) or Cr(III)/Cr(VI). As for polarography, ultra-pure mercury and buffers are necessary.
Why choose Alfa Chemistry?
Alfa Chemistry is one of the largest providers of reagents for inorganic trace analysis in the world and the quality assurance is of prime importance to Alfa Chemistry. The solvent from Alfa Chemistry in the world is synonymous with reliability and excellent quality. Because of the exacting nature of our business and the regulatory demands placed upon our industry, Alfa Chemistry continues to be at the forefront in terms of compliance, accreditations and certifications.
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