An electrothermal vaporization unit with axially focusing convection upstream. Part II: Modeling of the condensation process

A model is presented that describes quantitatively the condensation of analytes in pico- and nanogram masses sampled with electrothermal vaporization (ETV). It presumes that the analyte vapor condensation of such low amounts occurs mainly heterogeneously, predominantly on growing carbon particulates originating from the graphite furnace before the analyte vapor achieves saturation via cooling. The model regards the coagulation of carbon particles and the diffusion of analyte atoms. The criterion whether or not an analyte atom sticks to a colliding particle is chosen as a function depending on its temperature and on the common GFAAS pretreatment temperatures. Heterogeneous condensation of six analytes with different volatilities, Ag, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, and Pb, is calculated for the ETV unit with an axially focusing convection upstream described in Part I. Modifier effects are taken into account. The results are compared to measured data.