Faculty Research
Alphabetical · By research area

Research interests are in the general area of analytical spectroscopy with emphasis on the development, characterization, and application of new systems for elemental analysis using both emission spectrometry (AES) and mass spectrometry (MS). Specific techniques under study include inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), glow discharge-mass spectrometry (GD-MS), glow discharge-atomic emission spectrometry (GD-AES), and electrospray-mass spectrometry (ES-MS). Of particular interest with the ICP systems is the development of sample introduction sub-systems that can be applied to the direct determination of trace elements in all types of materials. Direct sample insertion devices and laser ablation are being used to develop new sample introduction sub-systems. In addition, a unique way to characterize particles is being developed by time-resolving the emission pulses generated in an ICP when particles are directly introduced into the plasma.

Electrospray-mass spectrometry represents a potentially very powerful method for determining the chemical composition of solution samples. With the appropriate methodology it is possible with electrospray techniques to determine the elemental, molecular, and complexed form of both cations and anions in solution samples. An extensive range of studies are under way aimed at characterizing both the qualitative and quantitative capabilities of electrospray mass spectrometry for the determination of inorganic species.

A continuing interest is the development and utilization of new spectrochemical measurement systems. Specific systems include spectrometers based on photodiode arrays and CCDs, and a UV-VIS Fourier transform spectrometer all of which have facilitated many of the measurements that we carry out in the laboratory.

Finally, work is now in progress in planning and developing CD-ROM based libraries and programs of interest to analytical spectroscopists in general and atomic spectroscopists in particular. One of the first projects is the development of a CD-ROM containing a complete atomic emission spectral data base for the ICP source acquired with our UVVIS Fourier transform spectrometer.

Selected Publications

X.R. Liu and G. Horlick, "In Situ Laser Ablation Sampling for Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry", Spectrochim. Acta 1995, 50B, 537-548.

G. Fulton and G. Horlick, "AOTFs as Atomic Spectrometers: Basic Characteristics", Appl. Spectrosc. 1996, 50, 885-892.

I.I. Stewart, D. Barnett and G. Horlick, "Investigations into sulfur speciation by electrospray mass spectrometry", J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1996, 11, 877-886.

I.I. Stewart and G. Horlick, "Investigations into chromium speciation by electrospray mass spectrometry", J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1996, 11, 1203-1214.

D.A. Barnett and G. Horlick, "Quantitative electrospray mass spectrometry of halides and halogenic anions", J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1997, 12, 497-501.