C100 nebulizer for desolvators with ESI SC Micro Autosampler

Summary

The Savillex C-Flow PFA concentric nebulizer range features two general purpose demountable uptake line (d-type) versions suitable for all non-semiconductor applications: C400d/e for ICP-MS and C700d for ICP-OES, plus four low flow rate, microconcentric versions: the C200, C100, C50 and C35, with free aspiration uptake rates of 200, 100, 50 and 35 μL/min respectively.

The microconcentric versions are used predominantly for semiconductor analysis and other low sample volume applications (typically in geochemistry), and also with desolvation devices such as the Teledyne CETAC Aridus II, ESI Apex or Nu Instruments DSN-10.

The unique two-piece design and construction of the C-Flow allows for very precise manufacturing and more reproducible performance than any other microconcentric nebulizer. This is especially important for 50 μL/min uptake and 35 μL/min rate nebulizers, which are the most challenging to manufacture. The design features an inner body that supports the capillary all the way to the nebulizer tip: this also makes the C-Flow rugged enough that it can be backflushed simply and safely using the nebulizer gas. In addition, Savillex designs, moulds and manufactures all its sample introduction products in house using only the highest grade PFA resins: the C-Flow nebulizers have no measureable elemental background contribution. The Savillex C-Flow microconcentric nebulizers are the highest performing, most reproducible and reliable nebulizers available for semiconductor and low volume applications.

C-Flow Design

Unlike all other PFA nebulizers, the C-Flow is unique in that the body assembly is comprised of two parts: an outer body and an inner body (both are moulded PFA) that supports the capillary. Savillex’s moulding expertise allows for the parts to be manufactured to extremely tight tolerances. The design allows for precise adjustment and optimszation of free aspiration uptake rate during assembly. When the uptake rate is within specification, the two parts are locked together and the uptake rate is fixed, prior to shipment.

The C-Flow is unique among PFA nebulizers in that the capillary is physically supported all the way to the inside of the nebulizer tip. The capillary is positioned centrally within the body, making it the only PFA nebulizer that is a true concentric nebulizer. The design requires highly accurate mouldings to ensure the inner support aligns axially with the orifice. Savillex’s unique moulding expertise and design capabilities make this possible. Because the capillary is positioned with very high accuracy and precision, the free aspiration uptake variability is much lower than with other PFA nebulizer designs. The benefits of the unique tip design of the C-Flow become especially apparent at ultra-low flow rates (35 μL/min) where reproducibility in performance has been traditionally difficult to achieve. In addition, a low uptake rate can prevent plasma overloading.

The tip design provides several key benefits:

• Better reproducibility from nebulizer to nebulizer (free aspiration uptake rate)
• Aerosol direction is co-axial with the nebulizer – typically +/- 2 degrees
• High sensitivity due to efficient gas/liquid energy transfer and fine aerosol
• Reliable, reproducible performance even at 35 μL/min flow rates (C35)
• Longer lifetime than other PFA nebulizers - typically more than two years - because the capillary is physically supported at the tip so its axial position is very stable
• Easy to unclog by backflushing - no wires or flushing tools required

The C-Flow microconcentric range has become well accepted in semicon labs worldwide. The 200 μL/min version is the most widely used while the 35 μL/min version is recognised as the most reliable and reproducible nebulizer available for ultra low flow applications and difficult sample matrices.

Uptake Rate Specifications*

*(all at 1.0 SPLM nebulizer gas flow)

C-Flow Microconcentric Versions

All microconcentric C-Flows feature an integrated uptake lines and are available with an integrated polyimide autosampler probe encapsulated in PFA. The probe fits the Agilent I-AS, CETAC ASX 110/112 and ESI SC autosamplers. Custom uptake line lengths and probe lengths are available. Special versions of the C200, C100 and C50 are also available for use with desolvators. These versions are assembled and tested at 110deg.C to ensure optimum performance at elevated temperature. They are supplied as standard with the CETAC Aridus II, and can also be used with the ESI Apex or Nu Instruments DSN-100. For desolvator use, only the C-Flow versions marked “for CETAC Aridus II” may be used.

• The C200 is the standard version for semiconductor use with ICP-MS. With a larger capillary ID than the other microconcentric C-Flows, the C200 is also surprisingly resistant to salting or clogging due to high TDS samples – when pumped it can tolerate >10% TDS. Beyond semiconductor applications, and where sample volume is limited, the C200 operated in pumped mode is an excellent choice, and it can be operated at uptake rates as low as 100 μL/min.
• The C100 is designed for applications that require free aspiration mode and a lower uptake rate. It’s free aspiration uptake rate of 100 μL/min makes it an ideal fit for geochemical applications using desolvation devices. It is typically used in free aspiration mode for geological isotope ratio (IR) measurements, since IR precision is degraded slightly by noise due to peri-pump fluctuations. It is slightly less tolerant to high TDS samples than the C200 due to its smaller ID capillary.
• The C50 is designed for applications where sample volume is extremely limited. For use with geochemical applications using desolvation devices, where 100 μL/min flow rate is too high for the available sample volume.
• The C35 is designed for semiconductor and geochemical applications where sample volume is extremely limited. In semiconductor it is also the best choice for high Si matrices, since its ultra low uptake rate reduces plasma loading and prevents excessive deposition of SiO2 on the interface. At such low uptake rates, reproducible nebulizer manufacture is very challenging, but thanks to the unique two piece design of the C-Flow, consistent performance is achieved from nebulizer to nebulizer. This enables the C35 to be manufactured to the tightest free aspiration uptake rate specification (+/-7 μL/min) of any ultra low flow nebulizer.

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