A WHITE PAPER FROM

SPECTRO ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS

When results matter

Why Flame
AAS Users
Are Moving
Up to ICP-OES

Introduction

Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS or flame now offer the possibility of obtaining an ICP-
AAS) and inductively coupled plasma optical OES product at not much more than the cost
emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) represent two of an AAS device. (Case in point: the SPECTRO
long-established technologies used in a wide GENESIS ICP-OES analyzer.) So a number of
variety of analytical applications. ICP-OES has users previously locked into evaluating AAS
traditionally come with a considerably higher technology alone are now considering ICP-OES
price tag than AAS. Thus, many users have felt for their next analytical instrument purchase.
constrained to consider only AAS instruments for a
variety of tasks where lower costs were essential. This paper briefly outlines conventional flame
AAS and ICP-OES technologies, and offers
Recently, however, price points have shifted. comparisons to help users choose the analyzer
Manufacturing efficiencies and other changes that’s right for them.
2

Basic principles ICP-OES technology relies on atomic/

ionic emission, breaking down a sample
AAS technology operates on the within a high-temperature (typically up
principle of atomic absorption, using a to 10000° C) argon plasma to generate
flame to atomize a sample. Most AAS atoms and ions. In the basic ICP-OES
instruments utilize flames fueled by an method, sample elements emit a
air/acetylene mixture, which generates characteristic number of specific spectral
temperatures at about 2300° C, or a lines with different wavelengths when
nitrous oxide/acetylene mixture, which excited within the plasma. Emitted light
enables temperatures up to 2900° C. is resolved into these separate lines by
A liquid or dissolved sample is nebulized optical components such as diffraction
into an aerosol and introduced into the gratings; the light is finally directed
flame. The flame-generated ground onto a detector array that quantifies
state atoms can absorb radiation. Light light intensities at these different
of a specific wavelength, generated wavelengths. Elemental components
by an analyte element-specific hollow of a sample may be identified and their
cathode lamp and passing through concentrations determined using a
the flame, is partially absorbed by the suitable calibration.
atoms of the analyte element. Radiation
absorbance is measured by a detector, AAS analyzers are always sequential:
and through an empirical calibration, the they must analyze each element in a
concentration of an element present in sample one at a time. Some ICP-OES
the sample is determined. analyzers are also sequential. Others
are simultaneous: they analyze the entire
relevant emission spectrum of elements
in a sample at the same time. When
faced with samples containing more than
a few elements, sequential examination
demands relatively long analysis
times. This difference can have critical
implications for throughput, as discussed
later in this paper.

Ease of use
Flame AAS, which uses a hollow cathode lamp for each element to
AAS instruments are widely used for
be analyzed, has long been the hot choice for many analyses. But the
increasing affordability of advanced, high-productivity ICP-OES casts
routine analyses in a variety of industries
a brighter light on AAS disadvantages. for several reasons — high among them,
ease of operation.
 3

In seeming contrast, ICP-OES is the front-end sample preparation system.

technology of choice for more complex So users can move straight into “plug
laboratory analysis. However, basic & analyze” performance without time-
operation can be greatly simplified in consuming method development.
models intended for routine analysis.
An instrument such as the SPECTRO Detection limits
GENESIS is optimized to eliminate many
of the difficulties associated with using For some measurement targets —
a new technique or instrument. Sample notably Group I elements such as
preparation is much easier. Unlike AAS, lithium, sodium, and potassium — AAS
which suffers from a limited linear range, provides limits of detection (LODs) that
with ICP-OES a single sample dilution are superior to those of most instruments
is normally sufficient to measure all employing ICP-OES technology.
elemental concentrations. Furthermore, However, AAS cannot analyze a number
with an ICP-OES instrument’s relative of nonmetals at all. And its LODs for
freedom from matrix effects, buffers or phosphorus are unimpressive.
matrix modifiers common in AAS are
By contrast, an ICP-OES instrument
typically not required.
such as SPECTRO GENESIS provides
Overall, SPECTRO GENESIS is designed substantially better LODs on refractory
Advanced ICP-OES optics: for minimal installation and training elements such as aluminum, titanium,
the ORCA polychromator requirements, plus easy operation boron, and vanadium. It provides good
system in a SPECTRO GENESIS and maintenance. It’s available with results on nonmetals such as sulfur and
analyzer separates light emitted phosphorous — elements where AAS
a complete set of factory methods
in the plasma, and enables full
plus step-by-step standard operating fails. In fact, for phosphorus, ICP-OES
simultaneous measurement
procedures (SOPs) for a number of analysis offers LODs three orders of
of the relevant spectrum and
elements. common analytical applications. It can magnitude lower than those obtained
also be equipped with an automated with an AAS analyzer.

In a related limitation, AAS technology

typically requires that an instrument be
equipped with hollow cathode lamps
specific to any of the elements to be
analyzed. In all, depending on lamp
availability, an AAS instrument can
analyze (in sequence) up to 67 elements.
Conversely, an ICP-OES instrument
such as SPECTRO GENESIS uses no
lamps at all, and captures the entire
relevant spectrum — from 175 to 777
nanometers (nm) — in a single analysis.
All told, it can simultaneously analyze up
to 78 elements.
4

Throughput This level of true walkaway automation

frees up laboratory personnel for
Throughput differences may play a key other critical tasks. It can also increase
role in many users’ purchasing decisions. throughput substantially.

It all comes down to the instrument’s

likely duty cycle. How many elements Dynamic range
must typically be analyzed for each
AAS instruments typically exhibit a
sample? With three replicates, an AAS
linear dynamic range of 103 — fairly low
instrument requires about 10 seconds
compared to other major spectroscopic
for each element sequentially, for 30
techniques. It makes these instruments
seconds of total analysis time. By
ideal for measuring trace element
contrast, SPECTRO GENESIS takes about
concentrations, but less suitable for
60 seconds for three replicates. But in
dealing with samples exhibiting wide
that time, it can analyze any number of
concentration ranges — particularly
elements simultaneously.
those containing high concentrations of
Reliable estimates put the light duty/ a given element or elements.
heavy duty breakpoint at around 50
Compare that with the performance
samples and 10 elements per day. If an
of an ICP-OES instrument such as
instrument’s workload typically remains
SPECTRO GENESIS. It possesses a
at or under this limit, AAS devices may
typical linear dynamic range of 105 —
have an edge. However, if an instrument
among the widest such ranges available.
must routinely analyze more than 50
This enables analyses from parts per
samples and 10 elements per day, a
billion to hundreds of parts per million.
heavy-duty, simultaneous ICP-OES such
Example: SPECTRO GENESIS can
as SPECTRO GENESIS can definitely
measure copper using the emission line
deliver higher throughput rates, and will
at 324.74 nm from its approximately
usually be the better choice.
0.002 ppm LOD to more than 200 ppm.
Safe walkaway automation Automatic switching to alternative lines,
where available, can often extend the
Because their operation depends on dynamic range even further — with no
flames and pressurized flammable throughput penalty, since all lines are
gases, flame AAS instruments cannot measured simultaneously.
safely run unattended.

By contrast, an ICP-OES like SPECTRO Chemical interferences

GENESIS does not require flammable
Interferences caused by chemical
gases. Properly set up, it can run safely
interactions within a sample are
without supervision for an entire shift
relatively common with AAS technology.
or more — including overnight stints.
 5

Temperatures reached within the AAS experience easily ionizable element (EIE)
flame don’t exceed 3000° C, so a number interferences when encountering matrices
of chemical bonds, most notably in containing Group I elements such as
refractory oxides, may persist. lithium, sodium, and potassium (and to
a lesser extent, also Group II elements).
With the ICP-OES plasma, it’s a different
However, ICP-OES models such as
story. Virtually all chemical bonds are
SPECTRO GENESIS eliminate effects
totally destroyed by about 6000° C. Since
of this interference via radial plasma
temperatures in the plasma can reach up
observation. No buffering is required.
to 10000° C, this technology completely
eliminates chemical interferences.
Spectral interferences

Ionization interferences Since AAS analyzers use only a single

wavelength, they exhibit practically no
AAS technology experiences ionization
spectral interferences.
interference in trying to analyze Group II
elements such as magnesium, calcium, ICP-OES analyzers “see” the entire
and barium, using a nitrous oxide flame. relevant spectrum, for a much more
Operators must take the extra step of information-rich environment. This
adding an appropriate buffer to the means they may encounter spectral
sample solution to counteract this. interferences when dealing with closely
spaced, line-rich matrices, such as
With ICP-OES, minimal ionization
those associated with metals. However,
interferences are encountered. One
with a larger choice of emission
exception: some ICP-OES analyzers do
lines for a single element, spectral
interferences can typically be prevented
SPECTRO GENESIS ICP-
by appropriate line selection. Even
OES provides accurate,
high-productivity
where spectral interferences cannot be
analyses — along avoided fully, ICP-OES analyzers apply
with low operating and mathematical correction to compensate,
consumables costs plus securing accurate results.
an optional automated
sample introduction
system. Stability and TDS

AAS analyzers suffer from a lack of long-

term stability. An AAS instrument often
requires several recalibrations over any
8-hour shift.
6

Long-term stability for an ICP-OES such them can be a significant factor in AAS
as SPECTRO GENESIS is excellent. At cost comparisons.
less than 2 percent long-term instability
Even from lower-cost, aftermarket
over an 8-hour period, the instrument
suppliers, HCL list prices in a recent
avoids the need for frequent recalibration.
survey ranged from $200 to $600 per
Also, ICP-OES instruments can — and lamp, depending mainly on the element-
AAS devices cannot — tolerate high specific cathode material.
levels of total dissolved solids (TDS).
As for lamp longevity: heavy-duty
usage — for instance, running an AAS
Lamp costs instrument more or less continuously, for

As mentioned, AAS technology 8000 hours annually — may require up

generates light of a specific wavelength to five HCLs per element per year! And

to be partially absorbed by the target even in low-use cases, these products

element’s atoms within the flame. So can exhibit quite short shelf lives. Since

an AAS instrument must be equipped lamp lifetimes are often rated at 1 year,

with a hollow cathode lamp (HCL) to even users who utilize their instruments

generate that light. In fact, it requires a only occasionally might have to

separate lamp (sometimes ganged in a purchase an HCL for every analyte of

multi-element array) for each element to interest every year.

be analyzed.
In sharp contrast, since their technology

Unfortunately, such lamps are relatively makes no use of HCLs, ICP-OES

costly consumables with fairly short instruments incur no lamp purchase or

lifetimes. The effort and expense needed replacement costs.

to purchase, inventory, and replace

Summary costs and times

AAS ICP-OES (SPECTRO GENESIS)
Costs to purchase/replace lamp(s): variable but often Costs to purchase/replace lamp(s): none
significant (see above)

Costs to analyze 1 sample with 16 elements: Costs to analyze 1 sample with any number of
elements:
• Bottle of acetylene (8500 liters) $120.00
• Bottle of argon (15000 liters) $80.00
• Acetylene consumption 4 liters/minute;
$0.15 per analysis • Argon consumption 18 liters/minute;
$0.15 per analysis
• Electricity 0.03 kilowatt hour at $0.01
• Electricity 0.03 kilowatt hour at $0.01

Total analysis time: 160 seconds Total analysis time: 90 seconds

Throughput: At 16 elements, can analyze up to 180 Throughput: At any number of elements, can
samples in an 8-hour shift analyze up to 320 samples in an 8-hour shift
 7

Conclusion

Now that pricing for AAS analyzers and

some ICP-OES analyzers is beginning
to converge, direct comparisons of
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technical advantages and disadvantages
become useful. Users should carefully
consider the issues raised in this report
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