Collision/reaction cell technology

Collision/reaction cell technology (CCT/CRC) is a cheaper alternative for reducing the impact of interferences than is high-resolution magnetic sector ICP-MS. 

More recently, the advent of the collision/reaction cell technology has revolutionised commercial quadrupole ICP-MS systems. A gas, such as hydrogen, helium or ammonia, is introduced into the reaction cell (placed inside the mass spectrometer and preceding the analyser quadrupole), where it reacts and dissociates or neutralises the polyatomic species or precursors. Through collision and reaction with appropriate gases in a cell, interferences... 

Thomas, R. A Beginner s Guide to ICP-MS Part IX - Mass analyzers collision/reaction cell technology. Spectroscopy 2002, 17, 42-48. 

Yip Y-C, Sham W-C. Applications of collision/reaction cell technology in isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Trends Anal Chem. 2007 26 727-43. 

More recently, Yamanaka and Fryer showed the use of collision/reaction cell technology ICP-MS to determine elements at the trace and macro levels in various plant materials. They demonstrated that by using both helium and hydrogen gases in an octapole-based collision cell, they could determine ppm levels of Cr, Cu, and Fe... 

In fact, these application limitations have led some vendors to reject the cool plasma approach in favor of collision/reaction cell technology. So, it could be that the cool plasma capability of an instrument may not be that important if the equivalent... 

It should be noted that up until now, only single multipole-based cells have realized commercial success, but a recent development has placed an additional quadrupole prior to the collision/reaction cell multipole and the analyzer quadrupole. This first quadrupole acts as a simple mass filter to allow only the analyte masses to enter the cell, while rejecting all other masses. With all nonanalyte, plasma, and sample matrix ions excluded from the cell, sensitivity and interference removal efficiency is significantly improved compared to traditional collision/reaction cell technology coupled with a single quadrupole mass analyzer. 

In addition, there is a draft method for analyzing flue gas desulfurization waters (FGDW) from power plants by ICP-MS fitted with collision/reaction cell technology (see Chapter 20 for more details). 

For this reason, collision/reaction cell/interface technology is almost a necessity when analyzing petrochemical- or oil-based samples, especially if the analytes are at extremely low levels. To emphasize this, Abu-Shakra showed the benefits of using collision/reaction cell technology together with an optimized sample introduction... 

Standard mode or collision/reaction cell technology when needed 3... 

Another added expense with ICP-MS is that if it is fitted with collision/reaction cell technology, the cost of the collision or reaction gas will have to be added to the... 

In fact, these application limitations have led some vendors to reject the cool plasma approach in favor of collision/reaction cell technology. So, it could be that the cool plasma capability of an instrument may not be that important if the equivalent elements are superior using the collision/reaction cell option. However, you should proceed with caution in this area, because on the current evidence not aU collision/ reaction cell instruments offer the same kind of performance. For some instruments, cool plasma DLs are superior to the same group of elements determined in the collision cell mode. For that reason, an assessment of the suitability of using cool plasma conditions or collision/reaction cell technology for a particular application problan has to be made based on the vendor s recommendations. 

The use of collision/reaction cell technologies with LA-ICP-MS has also received attention as suitable instruments have become more generally available. As mentioned previously the use of a laser reduces or removes many of the interferences associated with solution-based analysis but the inclusion of cell technology offers the potential for the removal of Ar-based interferences and... 

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