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ION3 is a high-sensitivity analysis unit able to detect metal traces indifferent simple or complex matrices (water� food� chemical�pharmaceutical and oil products) The computer-assisted potentiometricstripping technique used by ION 3 is the result of the "lucky" unionbetween a reliable� reproducible electrochemical analytic technique� tested for a long time and thecomputing power of the modern personal computer. High speed to measurethe potential variations� with their subsequent processing� allows toreach a high detectability level (often below ppb). Thus� very smallmetal traces can be accurately and repeatedly detected and quantified.
Furthermore� by this thechnique the SIMULTANEOUS analysis of DIFFERENT METALS in the same matrix can be performed

It must be noted that� differently from other similar techniques� thisanalysis can be run on the "ORIGINAL" sample� meaning that the matrixdoes not need to be chemically or physically pre-treated. This makesION3 particularly suitable for routine analyses and for use bynon-particularly skilled operators.
Spot on-site analyses can be performed thanks to the compactness and small size of the unit.



The software� complyng with the GLP/GMP directives� runs under Windows 95/NT and is particularly user-friendly.
Not only does it enable to manage the unit and the analysis thoroughly�but it also allows to obtain detailed graphic� reports and completestatistic analyses on the measurements performed.


In order to determine the concentration of metal traces in a solution�it is possible to follow an electrochemical techinique using thereduction potential of an element /to dose traces of it in a solution).


To detect the metal� the sample has to undergo a suitable treatmentdepending on the kind of matrix where the element is present. Moreover�the quantity of sample to be taken depends on the concentration of themetal. The element to be
dosed is turned into metalstate by applying a well-defined negative potential.
The unit uses three electrodes to perform the analysis:

-Glassy carbon graphite electrode
-Ag/AgCl reference electrode
-Platinum electrode


The cell where the electrochemical reaction takes place must contain asupport electrolyte allowing the migration of the charged speciestowards the graphite electrode. Normally this electrolyte is made of anacid solution. The ionic
mobility is possible thanks to a stirrer run by a microprocessor.


The potentiometric stripping technique is very sensitive. In fact� metal traces can be detected up to ppb level.


The following list shows the metal detectable by means of potentiometric stripping technique:

- Antimony (Sb)
- Arsenic (As)
- Bismuth (Bi)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Cobalt (Co)
- Copper (Cu)
- Gallium (Ga)
- Indium (In)
- Iron (Fe)
- Lead (Pb)
- Manganese (Mn)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Nickel (Ni)
- Selenium (Se)
- Thallium (Tl)
- Tin (Sn)
- Zinc (Zn)

WORKING PRINCIPLES



The first operating phase preceding the very analysis� called plating�consist in coating the surface of the graphite electrode with a film ofmercury.
This operation� usually called plating� has to be carried out only oncebefore starting the analyses� letting the mercury film work withseveral samples.


Now� a very negative reduction potential is set by using an acidmercury salt solution (II). At the end of the plating operation(usually lasting one minute)� the electrode is ready to amalgamate themetals that have to be analyzed. The simple reaction of the electrodeis the following: Hg++ +2e- = Hg


At this step� the plating solution is replaced with the sample to beanalyzed that has already been acidified. By setting a more negativepotential than the metal reduction potential in the solution on thegraphite electrode� the metal ion is able to migrate towards theelectrode itself� where it reduces by amalgamating with the mercury.


The quantity of metal settling on the electrode is proportional toelectrolysis time. Therefore� small traces will take longer toaccumulate.

PSA ION3 PERFORMS THE FOLLOWING TECHNIQUES

POTENTIAL STRIPPING ANALYSER (PSA): detects most of heavy metals.

CONSTANT CURRENT STRIPPING ANALYZER (CCSA): detects metals such as Hg�As� Sb� Sn and doses some metals for which the amalgama on the mercuryfilm (Fe� Co� Ni� Se)cannot be created.


QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
Each analytical detection is performed by means of the typical methodof the standard adding� wich allows to obtain a regression line fromwhich the unknown concentration is automatically taken

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