Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry solutions introduced into

If a sample solution is introduced into the center of the plasma, the constituent molecules are bombarded by the energetic atoms, ions, electrons, and even photons from the plasma itself. Under these vigorous conditions, sample molecules are both ionized and fragmented repeatedly until only their constituent elemental atoms or ions survive. The ions are drawn off into a mass analyzer for measurement of abundances and mJz values. Plasma torches provide a powerful method for introducing and ionizing a wide range of sample types into a mass spectrometer (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ICP/MS). 

To examine a sample by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) or inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectroscopy (ICP/AES) the sample must be transported into the flame of a plasma torch. Once in the flame, sample molecules are literally ripped apart to form ions of their constituent elements. These fragmentation and ionization processes are described in Chapters 6 and 14. To introduce samples into the center of the (plasma) flame, they must be transported there as gases, as finely dispersed droplets of a solution, or as fine particulate matter. The various methods of sample introduction are described here in three parts — A, B, and C Chapters 15, 16, and 17 — to cover gases, solutions (liquids), and solids. Some types of sample inlets are multipurpose and can be used with gases and liquids or with liquids and solids, but others have been designed specifically for only one kind of analysis. However, the principles governing the operation of inlet systems fall into a small number of categories. This chapter discusses specifically substances that are normally liquids at ambient temperatures. This sort of inlet is the commonest in analytical work. 

Multi-element determination of dissolved metals at ultratrace level may be performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). U.S. EPA s Methods 200.8 and 1638 present a methodology for measuring trace elements in waters and wastes by the above technique. Sample is acid digested and the solution is introduced by pneumatic nebulization into a radio-frequency plasma. The elements in the compounds are atomized and ionized. The ions are extracted from the plasma through a differentially pumped vacuum interface and separated by a quadrupole mass spectrometer by their mass to charge ratios. The mass spectrometer must have a resolution capability of 1 amu peak width at 5% peak height. 

As mass spectrometry has continued to gain sensitivity and reliability, inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has become increasingly useful in the measurement of radionuclides. The optimization of ICP-MS is improving our ability to use the atomic detection of radionuclides in that it allows the near-complete isotopic analysis of any form of sample. Aqueous samples are generally introduced into the plasma source, and solids or individual particles, and organic solutions, may be atomized and continuously introduced into the plasma source. 

In recent years, a remarkable trend can be observed i.e. the utilization of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as an attractive complement for protein quantification. If the heteroatom-containing proteins are known and the standards are available, the absolute quantification of proteins can be easily obtained via element analysis by ICP-MS. However, when ICP-MS is interfaced to a separation system, such as HPLC, the organic solution and inorganic salts introduced into ICP-MS usually decrease the instrumental stability and detection limits. To overcome the problems, isotope dilution analysis is introduced to an ICP-MS-based linked system. ... 

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