Femtosecond laser ablation particle introduction to a liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge ionization source

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/C2JA10331A· OSTI ID:1035405

Carado, Anthony J.; Quarles, C. Derrick; Duffin, Andrew M.; Barinaga, Charles J.; Russo, Richard E.; Marcus, R. Kenneth; Eiden, Gregory C.; Koppenaal, David W.

This work describes the use of a compact, liquid sampling – atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) ionization source to ionize metal particles within a laser ablation aerosol. Mass analysis was performed with a Thermo Scientific Exactive Mass Spectrometer which utilizes an orbitrap mass analyzer capable of producing mass resolution exceeding M/ΔM > 160,000. The LS-APGD source generates a low-power plasma between the surface of an electrolytic solution flowing at several µl min-1 through a fused silica capillary and a counter electrode consisting of a stainless steel capillary employed to deliver the laser ablation particles into the plasma. Sample particles of approximately 100 nm were generated with an Applied Spectra femtosecond laser located remotely and transported through 25 meters of polyurethane tubing by means of argon carrier gas. Samples consisted of an oxygen free copper shard, a disk of solder, and a one-cent U.S. coin. Analyte signal onset was readily detectable relative to the background signal produced by the carrier gas alone. The high mass resolution capability of the orbitrap mass spectrometer was demonstrated on the solder sample with resolution exceeding 90,000 for Pb and 160,000 for Cu. In addition, results from a laser ablation depth-profiling experiment of a one cent coin revealed retention of the relative locations of the ~10 µm copper cladding and zinc rich bulk layers.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1035405
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-84012; JASPE2; 44090; NN2001000; TRN: US201204%%576
• Journal Information: Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, Vol. 27, Issue 3; ISSN 0267-9477
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ABLATION
ARGON
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
COPPER
ELECTRODES
GLOW DISCHARGES
IONIZATION
LASERS
MASS RESOLUTION
MASS SPECTROMETERS
OXYGEN
PLASMA
POLYURETHANES
RESOLUTION
RETENTION
SAMPLING
SILICA
SPECTRA
STAINLESS STEELS
ZINC
femtosecond laser ablation
liquid sampling-atmospheric pressure glow discharge
microplasma
mass spectrometry
elemental analysis
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory