Mechanism of a Novel Carrier Buffer in Arc Atomic Emission Spectroscopy.

The research, which was a component of a broader initiative, focused on synthesizing a pioneering carrier buffer particularly intended for arc atomic emission spectroscopy. By analyzing various evaporation curves and quickly refining the formula of the novel carrier buffer, a more comprehensive, selective, and expedited condition was established for fractionating the target elements from the sample using the single-electrode carrier distillation method, thereby increasing the sensitivity of atomic emission spectrum analysis. Furthermore, the buffer mechanism was thoroughly investigated, using data from field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The result revealed that multiphase chemical reactions occurred within the cup-shaped electrode micrographite reactor, where the components of the carrier buffer synergistically promoted the fractionation of the measured elements. Moreover, CaCO and FeO had a different "catalytic" impact. Finally, it was reasonable to assume that graphite remained inert in the reaction, and the composite molten body (SiO·AlO·CaO·BaO·FeO) developed during the interaction between the carrier buffer and sample matrix.