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Ionization Buffers

Ionization buffers are used to increase the free electron population in flame emission or absorption and thereby suppress ionization interference effects of many ions in high temperature flames such as nitrous oxide - acetylene. While the alkali metals are known to be ionized at various degrees, many metals including aluminum and silicon are ionized to an appreciable extent in a nitrous oxide - acetylene flame. Ionization buffers are always recommended with the nitrous oxide - acetylene flame. It is of interest to note that the ionization potential of lanthanum (5.6 eV) is very close to that of lithium (5.39 eV). Therefore, lanthanum acts as an ionization buffer as well as a releasing agent for the alkaline earth metals, silicon, and aluminum. The cesium ionization buffer is recommended by the manufacturers of the ICP and AAS instrumentation.
Catalog No. Description 250 mL 500 mL
IB-K-A5 5% Potassium in 1% HCl $ 81.75 $ 130.00
IB-K-B5 5% Potassium in 1% HNO3 87.25 141.50
IB-CS-B1 1% Cesium in 1% HNO3 70.75 125.00
IB-CS-B5 5% Cesium in 1% HNO3 92.50 152.50
IB-LA-A1

1% Lanthanum in 1% HCI

 70.75 125.00
IB-LA-A5

5% Lanthanum in 1% HCI

 87.25 141.50
IB-LA-B5 5% Lanthanum in 1% HNO3* 81.25 130.00
*Also used as releasing agents in flame AAS