Pneumatic nebulization inductively coupled plasma mass

Bjorn E, Freeh W, Hoffmann E, Liidke C (1998) Investigation and quantification of spectroscopic interferences from polyatomic species in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using electrothermal vaporization or pneumatic nebulization for sample introduction. Spectrochim Acta 53B 1766... 

Montaser A, Tan H, lishi II, Nam SFI, CaiM (1991) Argon inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with thermospray, ultrasonic, and pneumatic nebulization. Anal Chem 63 2660-2665 Montaser A, Minnich MG, Liu FI, Gustavsson AGT, Browner RF (1998) Fundamental aspects of sample introduction in ICP spectrometry. In Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Montaser A (ed), Wiley-VCH, New York, p 335-420... 

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. 

Detection limits are presented for 61 elements by ten analytical determinative methods FAAS flame atomic absorption spectrometry ETAAS electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry HGAAS hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry including CVAAS cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry for Hg ICPAES(PN) inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry utilizing a pneumatic nebulizer ICPAES(USN) inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry utilizing an ultrasonic nebulizer ICPMS inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry Voltammetry TXRF total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry INAA instrumental activation neutron analysis RNAA radiochemical separation neutron activation analysis also defined in list of acronyms. 

The improvement in the mass spectrometer will of course lead to better detection limits and capabilities. Again, the low-flow pneumatic nebulizer will probably continue to lead the work performed in building CE-ICP-MS interfaces. Also, the current selection of commercial low-flow nebulizer will aid in the construction and use of interfaces. Finally, two books worthy of further reading are Akbar Montaser s Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (Wiley-VCH, New York, 1998) and Joseph A. Caruso et al. s Elemental Speciation—New Approaches for Trace Elemental Analysis, Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry XXXIII (Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2000). Specific chapters were cited in this entry, but both books comprise other chapters containing a wealth of information about capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. 

While the ionization filament in a TIMS may be heated to a maximum temperature of 2,500°C, inductively coupled plasma reach temperatures of 15,000-20,000°C and have much higher ionization efficiency. A pneumatic nebulizer serves to inject sample solutions directly into the plasma. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICP-MS) have thus become powerful tools in trace and ultra-trace analyses with detection limits down to 1 ppq or less. O Section 63.4.5.8 refers to ICP-MS applications in measuring alternative nuclear materials, Am, Np, and Cm, and Sects. 63.5.2 and 63.5.5.4 dwell upon their use in environmental analyses for safeguards. 

Comparison of pneumatic nebulization and hydride generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for isotopic analysis of selenium. Anal. Chem., 61, 701-708. 

Caddia, M., and Iversen, B. S. (1998). Determination of uranium in urine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with pneumatic nebulization. J. Ana/. At. Spectrom. 13(4), 309. 

Ketterer, M. E. and Hudson, D. D. (2000) Preliminary characterization of a laboratory-constructed, easily disassembled concentric pneumatic nebulizer for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 15, 1547—77. 

---