Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS Analysis) Testing Technique
ICP-MS analysis is a technique used to determine the concentrations of elements and their isotopes by ionizing elements in the samples with extremely high temperature argon plasma and using a mass spectrometer to measure the number of ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio. ICP-MS is the most sensitive elemental analysis technique and is used for trace element analysis in a variety of fields.
This technique is conducted on our Agilent 7900.
The Agilent 7900 ICP-MS analyses the majority of the periodic table elements by ionizing species to the +1 state, followed by quadrapole mass spectrometric analysis of the ionized species.
Elements are identified by their individual masses and isotopic fingerprints, and have detection limits that can be as low as parts per trillion (ppt).
Typical applications
- Trace analysis of metals in water
- Cleanliness validation of wash samples
- Trace elements for pharmaceutical applications
- Metallic elements in wear testing fluids
- Isotopic identification, fingerprinting and tracking, e.g. C12 / C14 ratios
- Organometals in seawater samples
New application
Isotope dilution analysis
This technique involves spiking samples with a known concentration of a specific isotope and then determining the concentration of the unknowns by the subsequent change in isotopic ratio.
The spiked isotope acts as an excellent internal and calibration standard because it has the same chemical properties as the analyte element. The isotope dilution technique can be used to analyze many materials, including: archaeological, blood, hair and plant samples.
Capabilities
- Trace analysis (that can reach parts per trillion levels) of most elements in the periodic table, including halides (e.g. Cl, F, etc.) which less advanced ICP-MS equipment is unable to analyze. Halogens can therefore be analyzed at the same time and by the same technique as other elements, thus providing simpler and faster analysis times.
- Isotope fingerprinting - by analysing isotope ratios, such as 206Pb, 207Pb and 208Pb, the origin of the element can be determined, which in the case of Pb could be by the decay of 235U
- There is potentially no need to use separate Ion Chromatography (IC) techniques to analyze for anions as many anions can now be analyzed by ICP-MS
- Organic (carbon based) material analysis - by adjusting the O2 / Ar gas mix of the plasma flame, organic compounds can be introduced. This means that samples containing organic material (e.g. solvents) can be handled; hence enabling trace element analysis of such materials.
Benefits
- A high total dissolved solids (TDS) tolerance - a robust plasma system means that ‘dirtier samples’ than in the past can be analysed
- An orthogonal detector system (ODS) achieves an 11 orders of magnitude dynamic range, from parts per trillion to % levels - a greater range of samples can be analysed without dilution and the associated errors that can occur
- Increased ion transmission and lower background noise provides improved signal to noise ratios for enhanced trace level detection limits.
Typical industries using ICP-MS
- Healthcare, including pharmaceutical
- Orthopaedic implant manufacturers
- Nuclear
- Food contact products
- Nanoparticle users
ICP-MS - At a glance
- Information: trace elemental analysis of solutions by ionization and mass separation
- Sample size: limited only by the requirement to digest the samples
- Detection limits: ppt
- Elements detected: most of the periodic table including halides
- Data output: elemental concentrations, isotope ratios, particle size
Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis is a powerful technique used to detect and quantify trace elements in various samples with high precision and accuracy. Utilizing a plasma source that reaches temperatures of up to 10,000°K, ICP excites atoms and ions, causing them to emit light at characteristic wavelengths. By measuring this emitted light using a spectrometer, the concentrations of elements, even at trace levels, can be accurately determined. ICP analysis is widely employed in industries such as environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, and food safety due to its ability to analyse multiple elements simultaneously with low detection limits and excellent reproducibility.