UV/spray chamber for generation of volatile photo-induced products having enhanced sample introduction efficiency

A combined spray chamber/UV photolysis unit is described which is shown to substantially enhance sample introduction efficiency for several elements in the presence of 1 - 5% concentrations of formic, acetic and propionic acids. Enhancement factors of 2 - 40-fold were achieved for Ag, As, Se, Sb, Hg, I, Bi, Pb and Sn when the aerosol field within the cyclonic chamber produced during conventional concentric nebulizer sample introduction was illuminated by an axially placed 6 W mercury pen lamp. UV photolysis of the organic acids likely initiates radical reactions, generating volatile analyte species.