Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection limit

Figure 20-9 Flame, furnace, and inductively coupled plasma emission, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry detection limits (ng/g = ppb). [From R. J. Gill, Am. Lab., November 1993, p. 24F T. T. Nham,...

Grunwald, E. J. (1998). Capillary electrophoresis inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry Detection limits, sample matrix, and metal-ligand considerations. Unpublished Ms. Thesis, Ohio State University, Columbus. 

Szpunar, J., McSheehy, S., Polec, K., Vacchina, V., Mounicou, S., Rodriguez, I., Lobinski, R. Gas and liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection for environmental speciation analysis - advances and limitations. Spectrochim. Acta Part B 55, 779-793 (2000)... 

The complex of the following destmctive and nondestmctive analytical methods was used for studying the composition of sponges inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Techniques of sample preparation were developed for each method and their metrological characteristics were defined. Relative standard deviations for all the elements did not exceed 0.25 within detection limit. The accuracy of techniques elaborated was checked with the method of additions and control methods of analysis. 

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a multielement analytical method with detection limits which are, for many trace elements, including the rare earth elements, better than those of most conventional techniques. With increasing availability of ICP-MS instalments in geological laboratories this method has been established as the most prominent technique for the determination of a large number of minor and trace elements in geological samples. 

In modern times, most analyses are performed on an analytical instrument for, e.g., gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra-violet/visible (UV) or infrared (IR) spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), mass spectrometry. Each of these instruments has a limitation on the amount of an analyte that they can detect. This limitation can be expressed as the IDL, which may be defined as the smallest amount of an analyte that can be reliably detected or differentiated from the background on an instrument. 

ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) is frequently used for determining ultratrace amounts of technetium [9]. In spite of the high cost of the equipment, this detection method is far superior to other radiometric methods as regards sensitivity. When a double focussing high-resolution system is used (HR-ICP-MS) and an ultrasonic nebulizer is introduced [10], the detection limit is in the order 0.002 mBq. The ICP-MS method has been successfully applied to the determination of environmental "Tc as well as to other long-lived radionuclides of neptunium and plutonium in the environment. 

Soil samples were wet sieved into (a) 2-4 mm, (b) 1-2 mm, (c) 0.5-1 mm, (d) 250-500 i m, (e) 125-250 am, (f) 63-125 j,m and (g) <63 j.m fractions. A ferruginous/magnetic fraction (m) was also prepared from the 2-4 mm fraction. Soil fractions were crushed, digested with HNO3/HCI/HF/HCIO4 and then analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) for Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na, P, S and Zn. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine Ag, As, Cd, Pb and Sb because of the lower detection limits by this method. The mineralogy of selected samples was determined by qualitative X-ray diffractometry. 

Cations were determined by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HR-ICPMS), relatively new analytical instrumentation with a large dynamic range and detection limits (DLs) in the low (1-50) parts per trillion (ppt) for most elements. The exceedingly low DLs allow for recognition of elemental variations that are not possible with traditional analytical methods for water. 

In 1C, the election-detection mode is the one based on conductivity measurements of solutions in which the ionic load of the eluent is low, either due to the use of eluents of low specific conductivity, or due to the chemical suppression of the eluent conductivity achieved by proper devices (see further). Nevertheless, there are applications in which this kind of detection is not applicable, e.g., for species with low specific conductivity or for species (metals) that can precipitate during the classical detection with suppression. Among the techniques that can be used as an alternative to conductometric detection, spectrophotometry, amperometry, and spectroscopy (atomic absorption, AA, atomic emission, AE) or spectrometry (inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, ICP-MS, and MS) are those most widely used. Hence, the wide number of techniques available, together with the improvement of stationary phase technology, makes it possible to widen the spectrum of substances analyzable by 1C and to achieve extremely low detection limits. 

Inorganic pigments and lakes (organic dyes bonded to an inorganic support) can be recognized by the ratio of elements in their composition, making elemental analysis an important tool in their identification. EDS may facilitate an initial qualitative analysis, but quantitative analysis and the detection of trace elements are needed to identify the inorganic colorant components. Due to sample size restrictions, the methods that can be employed are limited. The techniques of inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), ICP-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and laser ablation ICP-MS are described in the literature (56). 

In the test method, the coal or coke to be analyzed is ashed under controlled conditions, digested by a mixture of aqua regia and hydrofluoric acid, and finally dissolved in 1% nitric acid. The concentration of individual trace elements is determined by either inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICPAES) or inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Selected elements that occur at concentrations below the detection limits of ICPAES can be analyzed quantitatively by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAA). 

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has been used for the analysis of uranium. However, the technique suffers from spectral interferences and it has relatively poor detection limits. 

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is a relatively new technique for elemental analysis and has superior limits of detection over optical methods. Also, this technique has an order of magnitude better detection limit than that obtained by the conventional fluorometric method. Uranium has many stable and unstable isotopes but 238U has the largest percentage abundance (99.274%). 

The determination of 129I in low-level radioactive waste was accomplished by radioactive instrumental neutron activation analysis [3]. A different group reported the determination of both 129I and 127I by neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry [4]. The method was very rapid - a sample could be analysed in three minutes. However, interference from 129Xe resulted in limited sensitivity for 129I detection. 

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a powerful technique that uses an inductively coupled plasma as an ion source and a mass spectrometer as an ion analyzer. It can measure the presence of more than 75 elements in a single scan, and can achieve detection limits down to parts per trillion (ppt) levels for many elements—levels that are two or three orders of magnitude lower than those obtained by ICP-AES (Keeler 1991). It is more expensive than ICP-AES and requires more highly skilled technical operation. Aluminum levels in urine and saliva were detected down to 0.02 g/mL and in blood serum to 0.001 g/mL using ICP-MS (Ward 1989). Speciation studies have employed ICP-MS as a detector for aluminum in tissue fractions separated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with detection limits of 0.04 g/g in femur, kidney and brain (Owen et al. 1994). 

IATA ICAP ICP ICP-AES ICP-MS ICV ID IDL IDW ISO International Air Transportation Association inductively coupled argon plasma inductively coupled plasma inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry initial calibration verification identification instrument detection limit investigation-derived waste International Standardization Organization... 

Since the introduction of the first commercial instrument in 1983, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has become widely accepted as a powerful technique for elemental analysis. Two excellent books on ICP-MS have been published [1,2]. ICP-MS provides rapid, multielement analysis with detection limits at single parts part trillion or below for about 40 to 60 elements in solution and a dynamic range of 104 to 108. These are the main reasons most ICP-MS instruments have been purchased. Two additional, unique capabilities of ICP-MS have also contributed to its commercial success elemental isotope ratio measurements and convenient semiquantitative analysis. The relative sensitivities from element to element are predictable enough that semiquantitative analysis (with accuracy within a factor of 2 to 5) for up to 80 elements can be obtained using a single calibration solution containing a few elements and a blank solution. 

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is becoming more and more popular because of the low detection limits, high selectivity, and rapid multiele-... 

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