The appropriate approach depends on the measurement requirements and the type of organic solvent.

1. Radial view: Oxygen introduction not required

With the Shimadzu ICPE-9820, it is generally possible to remove the cooling jacket for axial view analysis when introducing an organic solvent and use the unit exclusively in radial view. In this case, organic solvents can be measured without introducing oxygen gas.
 

2. Axial view

2.1 Organic solvents with a high oxygen content: Oxygen introduction not required

For organic solvents that contain a high amount of oxygen, such as ethanol (C₂H₆O), methanol (CH₄O), IPA (C₃H₈O), and DMA (C₄H₉NO), or for organic compounds dissolved in water, oxygen introduction is not required.

These solvents are combusted in the plasma, converting carbon and nitrogen into gaseous species such as COx and NOx, which are exhausted from the plasma, so carbon deposition on the torch tip or orifice is unlikely to occur.

2.2 Oxygen-free organic solvents: Oxygen introduction required

When measuring oxygen-free organic solvents such as kerosene (C₁₄H₃₀), xylene (C₈H₁₀), and petroleum hydrocarbons in axial view, oxygen introduction is required. A special-order argon/ oxygen gas mixture supply unit is required.

When measuring trace amounts of elements such as Na and K in organic solvents below the ppm level, axial view analysis using the argon and oxygen gas mixture supply unit is required. Sensitivity can be improved by more than an order of magnitude, especially for Na and K (with a detection limit of approximately 0.01 ppm).

However, for other elements, there is little difference in sensitivity. In addition, at short wavelengths in the vacuum ultraviolet region (e.g., for P), the background may become more complex due to interference from CN band spectra, which may instead reduce sensitivity.

Summary

　　　　　　・For trace analysis of Na and K below the ppm level: 
　　　　　　　Analysis in axial view with an argon/oxygen gas mixture supply unit is required.
　　　　　　・For analysis of Na and K at ppm levels or higher: 
　　　　　　　Analysis can be performed in radial view without introducing oxygen gas.

For details about the special-order argon/oxygen gas mixture supply unit, please contact a Shimadzu sales representative.