Effect of Nonionic Surfactants on the Intensity of Metal Lines in Drop-Spark Discharge Spectra

Abstract

Multiple enhancement of metal lines in the emission spectrum of a drop-spark discharge was detected upon the introduction of nonionic surfactants into the sample. The effect arises at a Triton X-100 concentration higher than 1 wt % and is observed up to 35 wt %. The degree of enhancement depends on the concentration of the background electrolyte and attains two orders of magnitude for highly diluted acids (e.g., 10 mM HCl). In the presence of 1.5 wt % Triton X-100, the limits of detection for Cu, Cs, Mg, Li, and Pb decrease by one order of magnitude.