Ionization buffer

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-006120",
  "term": "Ionization buffer",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A substance, usually an easily ionized element such as caesium or potassium, added in excess to samples and standards in flame spectrometry to raise the free-electron concentration of the flame gases. The higher electron density represses and stabilizes the ionization of the analyte, so more of it stays as free atoms. For example, caesium chloride is added to suppress ionization of sodium and potassium in flame atomic absorption.",
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "ionization"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Orange Book, 2nd ed., p. 172 (https://media.iupac.org/publications/analytical_compendium/)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/ionization-buffer/"
}