Investigation of helium inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for the detection of metals and nonmetals in aqueous solutions

Journal Article · Fri Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Analytical Chemistry (Washington); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00068a014· OSTI ID:5045039

Nam, S H; Masamba, W R.L.; Montaser, A ^[1]

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1. George Washington Univ., Washington, DC (United States)

Aqueous solutions are introduced into a helium inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (He ICPMS) for the detection of metals and nonmetals. The effect of four approaches for reducing the extent of secondary discharge in He ICPMS is examined. These approaches include the following: (i) the use of a center-tapped load coil, (ii) modified load coils, (iii) electrostatic shields, and (iv) application of samplers made from non-conductive materials and aluminum. Analytical characteristics of the system such as the background mass spectrum for injection of nitric acid solution, effects of the length of the plasma confinement tube, forward power and injector gas flow rate on ion signal intensities, and the level of oxide and doubly charged ions are determined. Isotope ratios for [sup 63]Cu/[sup 66]Cu, [sup 58]Ni/[sup 60]Ni, and [sup 80]Se/[sup 78]Se are measured. The limits of detection, obtained with an analogue detector and a prototype spectrometer, for the metals studied are in the range 0.2-9 ng/mL while those for As, Br, Se, and I are 0.2, 1, 0.2, and 0.04 ng/mL, respectively. Linear dynamic ranges of over 4 orders of magnitude are achieved. The system allows the determination of certain isotopes that suffer from spectral interference in Ar ICPMS. 54 refs., 6 figs., 6 tabs.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-93ER14320
• OSTI ID: 5045039
• Journal Information: Analytical Chemistry (Washington); (United States), Vol. 65:20; ISSN 0003-2700
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ELEMENTS
DETECTION
QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
PLASMA HEATING
METALS
SEMIMETALS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
ARSENIC
BROMINE
COPPER 63
COPPER 65
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HELIUM
INDUCTION
IODINE
ISOTOPE RATIO
MASS SPECTROMETERS
NICKEL 58
NICKEL 60
SELENIUM 78
SELENIUM 80
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COPPER ISOTOPES
DATA
DISPERSIONS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FLUIDS
GASES
HALOGENS
HEATING
INFORMATION
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MIXTURES
NICKEL ISOTOPES
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
NUMERICAL DATA
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
RADIOISOTOPES
RARE GASES
SELENIUM ISOTOPES
SOLUTIONS
SPECTROMETERS
SPECTROSCOPY
STABLE ISOTOPES
400100* - Analytical & Separations Chemistry
360102 - Metals & Alloys- Structure & Phase Studies