A pulsed electrolyte cathode discharge used for metal element analysis by atomic emission spectrometry

In this paper, a pulsed electrolyte cathode discharge is generated for the purpose of detecting metal elements by atomic emission spectrometry in atmospheric air. The discharge image, and the waveforms of voltage and current are obtained for studying the discharge mode. To understand the mechanisms of metal atomic excitation, the plasma temperature and the electron density of discharge are obtained by the spectra of N2 (C-B, Δν = −2) and Hβ (486.1 nm), respectively. Also, the effects of the solution pH, solution flow rate, discharge gap, and discharge voltage on the emission intensities of Cu and Fe are discussed to acquire the optimal experimental conditions. It is found that the pulsed electrolyte cathode discharge is a kind of atmospheric pressure glow discharge, and it can analyze metal elements accurately and sensitively. The gas temperature and electron density play important roles in the improvement of emission intensities of metal elements.