Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis is a critical technique used in various industries to detect and measure trace metals. Understanding the behavior and characteristics of elements in this context is essential for accurate analysis. This guide will walk you through some key elements in the ICP Periodic Table, highlighting their properties, chemical behavior, and best practices for handling and storage.

1. Lithium (Li)

• Location: Group 1, Period 2
• Atomic Weight: 6.941
• Coordination Number: 6 (assumed)
• Chemical Form in Solution: Li⁺(aq)
• Handling and Storage: Store tightly sealed at 20 ± 4°C. Avoid pipetting directly from the container, and do not return unused portions to the original container.
• Chemical Compatibility: Soluble in HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and HF aqueous matrices. Stable with all metals and inorganic anions.
• Stability: 2–100 ppb levels are stable for months in 1% HNO₃/LDPE container, while 1–10,000 ppm solutions are stable for years.
• Sample Preparation: Dissolves rapidly in water; for ores, use sodium carbonate fusion in Pt⁰ followed by HCl dissolution.

2. Beryllium (Be)

• Location: Group 2, Period 2
• Atomic Weight: 9.01218
• Coordination Number: 4
• Chemical Form in Solution: Be⁺(H₂O)₄²⁺
• Handling and Storage: Store tightly sealed at 20 ± 4°C. Avoid pipetting directly from the container.
• Chemical Compatibility: Soluble in HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and HF aqueous matrices. Stable with all metals and inorganic anions.
• Stability: 2–100 ppb levels stable for months in 1% HNO₃/LDPE container; 1–10,000 ppm solutions are stable for years.
• Sample Preparation: Metal dissolves best in diluted H₂SO₄; for BeO, use boiling acids or KHSO₄ fusion.

3. Boron (B)

• Location: Group 13, Period 2
• Atomic Weight: 10.811
• Coordination Number: 4
• Chemical Form in Solution: B(OH)₃ and B(OH)₄⁻
• Handling and Storage: Store tightly sealed at 20 ± 4°C. Avoid pipetting directly from the container.
• Chemical Compatibility: Moderately soluble in HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and HF aqueous matrices, and very soluble in NH₄OH.
• Stability: 2–100 ppb levels stable for months in 1% HNO₃/LDPE container; 1–1,000 ppm solutions stable for years.
• Sample Preparation: Amorphous form is soluble in concentrated HNO₃ or H₂SO₄; for ores, avoid acid digestions and use caustic fusions in Pt⁰.

4. Carbon (C)

• Location: Group 14, Period 2
• Atomic Weight: 12.011
• Coordination Number: 4
• Chemical Form in Solution: Tartaric Acid (used to make Carbon standards)
• Handling and Storage: Store tightly sealed at 20 ± 4°C. Avoid pipetting directly from the container.
• Chemical Compatibility: Moderately soluble in HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and HF aqueous matrices, and very soluble in NH₄OH.
• Stability: 1000–10,000 ppm level stable for years in dilute acidic media in a glass container.
• Sample Preparation: Use oxidative closed vessel fusion for elemental carbon, or Na₂O₂ fusion for organic compounds.

5. Sodium (Na)

• Location: Group 1, Period 3
• Atomic Weight: 22.98977
• Coordination Number: 6 (assumed)
• Chemical Form in Solution: Na⁺(aq)
• Handling and Storage: Store tightly sealed at 20 ± 4°C. Avoid pipetting directly from the container.
• Chemical Compatibility: Soluble in HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, and HF aqueous matrices. Stable with all metals and inorganic anions.
• Stability: 2–100 ppb levels stable for months in 1% HNO₃/LDPE container; 1–10,000 ppm solutions stable for years.
• Sample Preparation: Dissolves rapidly in water; for ores, use lithium carbonate fusion in a graphite crucible followed by HCl dissolution.

6. Magnesium (Mg)

• Location: Group 2, Period 3
• Atomic Weight: 24.305
• Coordination Number: 6
• Chemical Form in Solution: Mg(H₂O)₆²⁺
• Handling and Storage: Store tightly sealed at 20 ± 4°C. Avoid pipetting directly from the container.
• Chemical Compatibility: Soluble in HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄. Avoid HF, H₃PO₄, and neutral to basic media.
• Stability: 2–100 ppb levels stable for months in 1% HNO₃/LDPE container; 1–10,000 ppm solutions stable for years.
• Sample Preparation: Best dissolved in diluted HNO₃; for oxides, use compatible aqueous acidic solutions.

7. Aluminum (Al)

• Location: Group 13, Period 3
• Atomic Weight: 26.98154
• Coordination Number: 6
• Chemical Form in Solution: Al(H₂O)₆³⁺
• Handling and Storage: Store tightly sealed at 20 ± 4°C. Avoid pipetting directly from the container.
• Chemical Compatibility: Soluble in HCl, HNO₃, HF, and H₂SO₄. Avoid neutral media.
• Stability: 2–100 ppb levels stable for months in 1% HNO₃/LDPE container; 1–10,000 ppm solutions stable for years.
• Sample Preparation: Dissolves best in HCl/HNO₃; for oxides, use Na₂CO₃ fusion in Pt⁰.

8. Silicon (Si)

• Location: Group 14, Period 3
• Atomic Weight: 28.0855
• Coordination Number: 6
• Chemical Form in Solution: Si(OH)x(F)y²⁻
• Handling and Storage: Store tightly sealed at 20 ± 4°C. Avoid pipetting directly from the container.
• Chemical Compatibility: Soluble in HCl, HF, H₃PO₄, H₂SO₄, and HNO₃. Avoid neutral to basic media.
• Stability: 1–10,000 ppm single element solutions stable for years in 2–5% HNO₃/trace HF in an LDPE container.
• Sample Preparation: Soluble in 1:1:1 H₂O/HF/HNO₃; for quartz, use Na₂CO₃ fusion in Pt⁰.

9. Phosphorus (P)

• Location: Group 15, Period 3
• Atomic Weight: 30.97376
• Coordination Number: 6
• Chemical Form in Solution: OP(OH)₂(O)¹⁻
• Handling and Storage: Store tightly sealed at 20 ± 4°C. Avoid pipetting directly from the container.
• Chemical Compatibility: Soluble in HCl, HNO₃, H₂SO₄, HF, water, and NH₄OH. Stable with all metals and inorganic anions under acidic conditions.
• Stability: 1–10,000 ppm solutions stable for years in 0–1% HNO₃/LDPE container.
• Sample Preparation: For oxides, use water; for ores, use Na₂CO₃ fusion in Pt⁰.

Each element in the ICP Periodic Table has unique properties that influence its behavior in analytical procedures. Proper handling, storage, and understanding of chemical compatibility are essential for accurate and reliable ICP analysis. This guide serves as a foundational reference for laboratory professionals and researchers who work with these critical elements.