Inductively coupled argon plasma as an ion source for mass spectrometric determination of trace elements

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac50064a012· OSTI ID:6605495

Houk, R S ^[1]; Fassel, V A; Flesch, G D; Svec, H J; Gray, A L; Taylor, C E

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1. Iowa State Univ., Ames

Solution aerosols are injected into an inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP) to generate a relativly high number density of positive ions derived from elemental constituents. A small fraction of these ions is extracted through a sampling orifice into a differentially pumped vacuum system housing an ion lens and quadrupole mass spectrometer. The positive ion mass spectrum obtained during nebulization of a typical solvent (1% HNO/sub 3/ in H/sub 2/O) consists mainly of ArH/sup +/, Ar/sup +/, H/sub 3/O/sup +/, H/sub 2/O/sup +/, NO/sup +/, O/sub 2//sup +/, HO/sup +/, Ar/sub 2//sup +/, Ar/sub 2/H/sup +/, and Ar/sup 2 +/. The mass spectra of the trace elements studied consist principally of singly charged monatomic (M/sup +/) or oxide (MO/sup +/) ions in the correct relative isotopic abundances. Analytical calibration curves obtained in an integration mode show a working range covering nearly 4 orders of magnitude with detection limits of 0.002 to 0.06 ..mu..g/mL for those elements studied. This approach offers a direct means of performing trace elemental and isotopic determinations on solutions by mass spectrometry.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-82
• OSTI ID: 6605495
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 52:14; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
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ALKALINE EARTH METALS
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ARGON COMPOUNDS
ARGON HYDRIDES
ARSENIC
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHROMIUM
COBALT
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RARE GAS COMPOUNDS
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RUBIDIUM
SEMIMETALS
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YTTRIUM