Agilent ICP-MS Journal (May 2010 – Issue 42)

Significance of Advanced ICP MS Applications

ICP MS has emerged as a versatile tool for trace elemental analysis across environmental and industrial matrices. This issue highlights four key innovations that improve matrix tolerance sensitivity, chromatographic coupling, and high temperature analyses.

Study overviews

• High matrix introduction HMI and helium collision mode for EPA 6020A enabling accurate trace metal quantification in challenging environmental samples run continuously for over 15 hours with robust performance
• HPLC ICP MS screening of polybrominated diphenyl ether metabolites in biological matrices demonstrating rapid separation of PBDE congeners using ultra high performance HPLC coupled to a fast frequency matching RF generator equipped 7700x yielding detection limits about 20 ng ml as Br
• New GC ICP MS interface kit enabling direct coupling of GC to 7700 Series ICP MS with fully heated inert transfer line for rapid organotin speciation application achieving sub n ppt detection of tributyltin
• High temperature simulated distillation by GC ICP MS using inert heated Sulfinert lined transfer line and dry argon plasma to measure heavy end boiling point distribution and sulfur species in petroleum samples up to C 90

Methodologies and Instrumentation

• Agilent 7700x ICP MS with HMI sample introduction reduces ionization suppression in samples up to percent level total dissolved solids
• Helium collision mode on ORS cell for polyatomic interference removal without reaction gases
• UHPLC coupling with frequency matching RF generator on 7700x to tolerate 95 percent acetonitrile at 1.5 ml min
• Fully inert heated GC interface kit for 7890 GC to 7700 Series ICP MS transfer line and injector at temperatures up to 300 C
• Dry plasma ICP MS eliminates oxygen interference on sulfur and phosphorus analysis

Key Results and Discussion

• Method detection limits in EPA 6020A study were representative of real lab conditions with MDLs for elements ranging from 0.004 to 3.17 ug L enabling QC recoveries above 90 percent across diverse CRMs
• Continuous 156 sample runs over 15 hours showed stable internal standard recoveries above method requirement without drift
• Ultra high performance HPLC separation achieved baseline resolution of seven PBDE congeners bar minor isomers 207 208 with detection limits near 20 ng ml
• New GC ICP MS interface delivered rapid organotin speciation in under 12 minutes with 5.9 ppt limit for tributyltin
• High temperature simulated distillation captured heavy end hydrocarbon boiling point distribution up to C 90 and measured sulfur containing fractions in diesel standards

Practical Benefits and Applications

• Simplified sample preparation and single sequence analysis of unknown environmental waters soils and sludges
• Rapid screening of persistent flame retardants in biological samples for toxicology studies
• Sensitive organotin speciation for environmental monitoring in waters fuels and biota
• High throughput simulated distillation and sulfur speciation for crude oil and refinery quality control

Future Trends and Opportunities

Integration of advanced collision cell technologies and high temperature interfaces will expand ICP MS applications into high resolution speciation of heavy end organometallics and real time online process monitoring. Coupling with miniature separations and automation promises further gains in throughput and lower detection limits across diverse industries.

Conclusion

The combination of robust plasma conditions high matrix tolerance, helium collision cell, advanced chromatographic coupling, and inert high temperature interfaces solidify the role of ICP MS as a critical multi element detector for environmental industrial and biochemical analysis offering reliability sensitivity and versatility across challenging sample types.

References

• EPA Method 6020A Agilent Application Note 5990 5514EN
• Bierla K et al JAAS 2010 DOI 10 1039 C000686F
• Agilent GC ICP MS Interface Kit G3158C Application Note 5990 5798EN
• High Temperature Sim Dis by GC ICP MS Agilent Tech Feature 5990 5631EN