ATTENTION:  Due to the volume of questions received, some questions may not be answered. However, questions submitted by Inorganic Ventures' customers will always be given priority.

Who is Paul Gaines?

Dr. Paul Gaines is one of the foremost scientists in his field, with over three decades of spectroscopic experience. His background includes pure and applied research within the fields of both organic and inorganic chemistry.

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General Applications

Certified Concentration of a Standard

Paul discusses how we determine the certified concentration of a standard based on two independent assay methods.

Nitric Acid Oxidations

Paul shares some information regarding the fundamentals of nitric acid oxidations.

Two Methods for Certification

Paul explains the benefits of using two independent method for the certification of a CRM.

ICP-MS Sensitivity Optimization

Paul shares his experience in optimizing an ICP-MS instrument to improve its sensitivity.

Cleaning Quartzware

Paul shares his preferred method for cleaning quartz flasks, specifically glassware used to digest organic compounds.

Sample Preparation Advice

Dissolving Graphite to Measure by ICP

Paul recommends a sample preparation method for dissolving graphite powder to measure elements using ICP.

Quartz Powder Preparation

Paul provides a tried-and-true preparation method for dissolving quartz powder.

XRF vs. ICP for Concrete Metals

Which instrument is more accurate for analyzing metals in concrete: XRF or ICP? Paul offers some insight.

Dissolution of Si in Metals

Paul discusses dissolution techniques for Si concentrations above 1% in metals.

Analysis of Sediment Samples

Paul provides some recommendations when analyzing sediment samples for cesium.

Reactions of Sulfur and Bromine

Paul offers insights about sulfur-containing compounds, specifically regarding the reaction between sulfur and bromine.

Determination of As in Sediment

Paul offers tips for the determination of arsenic and other toxic elements in sediment samples.

Matrices for Soil Preparation

Paul recommends a couple of matrices that will work well for soil preparations that involve Si.

Trace Metal Analysis of Air Condensate

Paul explains why nitric acid is used to prepare air condensate samples and offers additional information on the topic.

Analyzing Cement

Paul shares his insights regarding the analysis of the mineral composition of concrete.

Determination of Hg in Sediment

Paul offers a few tips for the determination of mercury and lanthanides in river sediment samples.

Sample Size for Steel Analysis

Paul provides tips for obtaining the best sample size for low-alloy steel analysis by ICP.

Analyzing For Br by ICP

Paul recommends his method when analyzing for bromine with ICP-OES for samples in a PET matrix.

Analytical Tips for Tin

Paul suggests the best lines for interference-free tin analyses.

Analyzing Silicone Oils

Paul offers advice and preparation tips for the analysis of silicone oils.

Ashing Technique for Metals

Paul recommends an ashing technique to determine the presence of seven metals in solid raw material samples.

Coal Sample Digestions

Paul suggests his preferred method to digest coal samples for the analysis of various elements.

Ashing Procedure For Tin

Paul cites a useful ashing sample preparation procedure for Tin.

Using Blue HDPE Containers

A discussion of contamination risks and sample storage when using a blue HDPE container.

Sn and Tl Soil Extraction

Nitric acid and aquaregia preps yeild low results for tin and thallium soil extraction. Dr. Gaines offers advice.

Filter Papers for EPA Method 353.2

Paul recommends several filter papers for applications using EPA Method 353.2.

Determination of Hg in Biological Matrices

A strategy for obtaining good mercury recoveries is offered for when mercury appears in a biological matrix.

Stability and Compatibility Advice

Eliminating High and Erratic Blanks  · NEW ·

Paul offers guidance to chemists using ICP-MS to help eliminate high and erratic blanks.

HF in Multi-element Standards

Trace amounts of HF are used with certain elements in multi-element standards. But how much HF is used? Paul explains.

Chemical Stability of Standards

How long are average standard solutions chemically stable? Paul provides the answer.

Questions About Mo, Ti, and Hg

Paul answers questions from two different chemists -- one concerned with Mo and Ti; the other with Hg.

Overcoming Au Stability Issues

Paul provides some tips for overcoming Au stability issues when working with nitric acid matrices.

Contaminants of Ethanol in HDPE

Paul offers a couple of suggested sources of contaminants leached out of HDPE by 96% ethanol.

Vegetable Oil Stability

A good reference for chemists concerned about the oxidation of edible vegetable oils.

ICP Multi-Element Solution Incompatibilities

A list of potential reactions when P, S, Si, Sn, Li, and Ti are added to a stock multi-element blend.

Multi-Element Compatibility and Preparation

Paul describes some of the factors that determine the make-up of a multi-element standard.

Stability of Hg in Plastic Bottles

Understand more about mercury's stability when it's kept in a plastic container for several weeks.

Cadmium, Lead, and Copper Stability

An ideal method of blending cadmium, lead, and copper is described by Dr. Gaines.

Diluted Blends of Single Element Standards

Find out how single element standards can be properly combined to create diluted custom standards.

Incompatible Metals Within Solution

Discover a great resource for determining incompatibilities and learn about problematic elemental solutions.

Stability of Oil Standards

Stability issues for organometallic standards, plus suggestions for improving the stability of silver.

Measurement Advice

Controlling Transpiration  · NEW ·

Can container transpiration be controlled? Paul discusses the problem and our work toward finding a solution.

Calculating Weighing Uncertainty

Paul provides an effective way to determine uncertainty when weighing samples.

Expressing Sensitivity

Paul offers his expertise to help chemists properly express sensitivity when working with ICP.

As Line Interferences from Fe

Paul offers his suggestions when dealing with interferences on the As emission lines caused by high levels of Fe.

Measurement Uncertainty

Paul offers his advice on the measurement uncertainty associated with ICP-OES data calculations.

Positive Interference with Hg 202

Paul discusses the interference corrections and recommends the best way to counter positive interference with mercury 202.

Linearity Slope Variance

Paul recommends a program for data calculations concerning linearity slope variance.

Mercury and Antimony Troubleshooting

The finer points of mercury analysis are discussed, as is antimony as a contaminant.

Zn Interferences Upon the Na 330.237 nm Line

Zinc can infulence sample analysis for sodium by ICP-OES. Learn more about this phenomenum.

Aluminum, Beryllium, and Chromium Interferences

Some common interferences with aluminum, beryllium, and chromium are addressed.