Sample Preparation Using Microwave Acid Digestion Method

3 Sample Preparation Using Microwave Acid Digestion Method 

Modern microwave digestion systems monitor both pressure and temperature in the containers with automatic shut-down safety valves. The oven temperature and pressure can be set and when this is achieved, the power is switched off. This continues for several stages of the set programs until completion of mn and it will turn off automatically. The microwave vessels are available commercially and toughened to handle most samples. 

A micro-evaporator can also be attached to modem microwave digesters and are designed to reduce the acid solutions to a low or even a dry state. The principle is that samples are exposed to microwave energy under vacuum to accelerate volume reduction. An auto-detect feature of the CEM MAR 5 system is that a detector is installed to inform the operator when the evaporation is complete and automatically stops operation. Acid fumes are neutralised by an integrated vapour scmbber system. 

After microwave digestion the mixture is allowed to cool for 1 h and the contents are reduced to 10.0% of the original volume using a micro-vap attachment. The reduced liquid is transferred to a 50 ml volumetric flask and the vessel is washed 

Stage Power (W) % power Ramp time (min) Pressure (psi) Temp. (°C) Hold (min) 

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Results. The results obtained by this experiment were between 95 and 109% which is indicative of a good recovery for the listed elements using the ashing method. The metals Pb and Sn were included to test for their volatility in this type of sample (Table 5.13). The method works well for some metals but not for volatile metals. These samples can also be prepared using microwave acid digestion or bomb combustion methods. 

Sample preparation using the bombing combustion method has an advantage over the microwave digestion method in that it does not require very strong multi-acidic solutions... 

Dry ashing of cmde oils can cause serious loss of ash or elements through volatility of some metals, even in the presence of metal-retaining compounds. The methods using microwave acid digestion or bomb combustion are suitable for sample preparation for most trace metal analysis because they are retained in solution. This includes those that are volatile. Unfortunately, these methods are time-consuming and can be erroneous, and require experience skilled operators, but are necessary because they are precise, accurate and quantitative. 

The benefit of sample preparation techniques using microwave acid digestion and bomb combustion is that the sample is totally enclosed during the decomposition. These methods remove matrix interference and generate aqueous solutions, which can be analysed using ICP-OES. Sub-trace concentrations can be detected when hyphenated attachments are used, e.g. ultrasonic nebuliser, hydride generation or continuous cold vapour method. These methods are essential where trace levels of toxic elements are present that need to be identified and quantified. 

The correct choice of sample preparation and analysis will give excellent confidence in the reported results. Microwave acid digestion methods can be used to prepare almost all... 

Table 6.27 Results of analysis of polyurethane (PU) adhesives spiked with 0.1 % organometallic catalysts using destructive methods ashing, microwave acid digestion and bomb combustion methods of sample preparation...

The selectivity and sensitivity offered by atomic spectroscopy techniques can be used for direct and indirect determination of metals in a range of pharmaceutical preparations and compounds. Metals can be present in pharmaceutical preparations as a main ingredient, impurities, or as preservatives which can be prepared for analysis using non-destructive (direct or solvent dilution) or destructive methods (microwave acid digestion, bomb combustion, extraction, etc.) and the metal of interest measured against standards of the metal prepared in the same solvents as the sample. Methods associated with some pharmaceutical products are already described in the international pharmacopoeias and must be used in order to comply with regulations associated with these products, e.g titration techniques are carried out according to methods that are the same for all pharmaceutical products. 

Microwave acid digestion of the tissue, blood, serum, etc., can be used to prepare samples for metal analysis. The ICP-OES method is useful for monitoring the distribution of platinum compounds in the body but the information alone is not sufficient to support rigorous pharmacokinetic studies required to fully understand the total functionality as a cancer killing drug. 

Mineralisation consists of the destruction of organic matter. Dry (oven) or humid (acid treatment) methods can be used for this purpose. Due to the absence of a universal method applicable to all mineral elements, it is necessary to adapt mineralisation to the sample being analysed. This stage, which is indispensable for the preparation of many types of samples, particularly those analysed by atomic absorption or emission, can be facilitated by the use of microwave digestion. 

The ICP was a Perkin-Elmer 3000DV with an AS90 Autosampler, which has an instrument detection limit of about 1 ppb (for most elements) with a linear calibration up to 100 ppm (for most elements). Solid samples were prepared via microwave digestion in concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acids, then diluted to volume. The ICP was calibrated and verified with two independent, certified standard sets. Spikes and dilutions were done for each batch of samples to check for and/or mitigate any matrix effects. The ICP process ran a constant pump rate of 1.5 mL/min for all samples and standards during analysis. A 3 mL/min rinse and initial sample flush were used to switch between each sample and standard. The plasma was run at 1450 W with argon flow. Trace metal-grade (sub-ppb) acids and two independently NIST-certified calibration standard sets were used for calibration and method verification. 

This laboratory experiment describes the preparation of a vegetation sample (e.g., grass) for radiochemical analysis. The sample is dried and ashed. In Part 12A, the ash is fused with sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate to bring it into solution. An alternative method in Part 12B uses a microwave-assisted digestion technique with nitric and hydrofluoric acid. The prepared sample is suitable for radionuclide analysis, notably for radio-strontium or plutonium. 

The first step in analysing plastics for metals content in polymers by ICP-AES technique is that they must be prepared in solutions that are suitable for nebulization. There are four general methods applicable for sample preparation for metal analysis by ICP-AES and they are solvent dissolution of some plastics dry ashing using a muffle furnace acid digestion using a microwave oven and oxygen bomb combustion. 

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