An Improved Pneumatic Concentric Nebulizer for Atomic Absorption. I. Design and Performance

Abstract
A new pneumatic concentric nebulizer for flame spectrochemical applications has been designed and evaluated. The construction and fundamental operational characteristics of two versions, fixed and adjustable uptake, are described. Analytical figures of merit including detection limits, characteristic concentrations, and precisions, obtained in conjunction with a conventional atomic absorption spectrophotometer, are presented. Improvements in sensitivity of approximately 40 to 50% are typical with no concurrent losses in precision. Performance characteristics of the adjustable uptake version with an organic solvent (methylisobutylketone) are also described.