Preparing the Instrument Calibration Solution for the Agilent ICP-OES System

Answer

This Information Applies To: All ICP-OES: 5000 (5100/5110/5800/5900) and 700 (710/715/720/725/730/735) series

Issue

The instrument calibration solution is used when performing the ICP-OES Performance Test and the Wavelength Calibration. The instrument calibration solution can be prepared from 1000 ppm stock solutions (Table 1) according to the calculations described in this article. Alternatively, you can purchase the Agilent ready to use wavelength calibration standard (Table 1).

Instrument calibration solution elements and concentrations

The instrument calibration solution must contain 5 ppm of each of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Zn, and 50 ppm K in 1% HNO₃. Agilent 1000 ppm stock solutions are available as per Table 1 (1 ppm is the same as 1 μg/mL).

Concentration equation:

Use the following equation to calculate the volume of known concentration stock standard required to obtain the desired concentration:

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

Where:

C₁ = known concentration stock standard
V₁ = the volume of the known stock standard required to obtain the desired concentration
C₂ = desired concentration
V₂ = final volume

Steps to follow

Warning: HNO₃Is corrosive. Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment when handling HNO₃

Calculate the volume of each 1000 ppm single element stock standard (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Zn) required to make up 1 L of 5 ppm working instrument calibration standard:
1. V₁ = C₂V₂/C₁
2. V₁ = 5 ppm * 1000 mL/1000 ppm
3. V₁ = 5 mL aliquot of 1000 ppm stock standard element is required.
Calculate the volume of the 1000 ppm single element stock standard (K) required to make up 1 L of 50 ppm working instrument calibration standard:
1. V₁ = C₂V₂/C₁
2. V₁ = 50 ppm * 1000 mL/1000 ppm
3. V₁ = 50 mL aliquot of 1000 ppm stock standard element is required.
Add 5 mL of each of (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Zn) to a 1 L volumetric flask.
Add 50 mL of K stock standard to the 1 L volumetric flask.
Make up to 1 L with 1% HNO₃.
1. Note: 1%HNO₃ is 10 mL conc.HNO₃ in 1 L H₂O.

Table 1: Agilent Calibration Solutions

Standard description	Part number
ICP-OES Wavelength Calibration Solution, Multicomponent, Ready to use	6610030100
Individual stock solutions
Aluminum (Al) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8242
Arsenic (As) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8246
Barium (Ba) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8248
Cadmium (Cd) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 500 mL	5190–8328
Cobalt (Co) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8346
Chromium (Cr) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8344
Copper (Cu) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8348
Manganese (Mn) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8483
Molybdenum (Mo) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 1% NH4OH, 100 mL	5190–8487
Nickel (Ni) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8491
Lead (Pb) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8475
Selenium (Se) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8519
Strontium (Sr) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8527
Zinc (Zn) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8557
Potassium (K) standard, 1,000 µg/mL, in 5% HNO3, 100 mL	5190–8503

Learn how to effectively operate your Agilent ICP-OES:

Agilent 5100 and 5110 ICP-OES user manual on Agilent.com

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