News from LabRulezICPMS - Library Week 36, 2024

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in week 36, 2024? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy, especially ICP/MS techniques!

👉 SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT ICPMS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES

👉 Need info about different analytical techniques? Peek into LabRulezLCMS or LabRulezGCMS libraries.

This week we bring to you technical notes and applications by Agilent Technologies, applications by Shimadzu, and Thermo Fisher Scientific!

1. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS or High Resolution ICP-MS? Which Instrument is Right for Me?

• technical note

Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS or High Resolution ICP-MS? Which Instrument is Right for Me?

When analyzing challenging samples, interferences can be a major source of uncertainty in ultra-trace determination of a wide range of elements. Strategies to reduce interferences on these analytes either involve using collision/reaction cells in quadrupole instrumentation to physically or chemically alter the ion
beam in a controlled manner to isolate the analyte from the interference, or use high resolution  instrumentation to discriminate the analyte next to an interference with a high degree of accuracy.

With the addition of the Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ TQ ICP-MS to the Thermo Scientific portfolio of ICP-MS instruments, we now offer a comprehensive range of ICP-MS instrumentation to cover all of your trace and ultra-trace analytical needs. While it is clear that triple quadrupole (TQ) ICP-MS offers benefits over single quadrupole (SQ) instruments, it is perhaps less obvious if high resolution (HR) ICP-MS is a more suitable technique than TQ-ICP-MS for certain analysis. This Smart Note will clarify when TQ-ICP-MS or HR-ICP-MS would be the better option for a particular analysis.

2. Shimadzu: Feasibility study of ability assessment using fNIRS

• application

Measuring Brain Function in the Aircraft Sector

Key Points

1. Differences in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity between expert captains and young trainees were assessed using fNIRS during two aircraft landing simulations differing in degree of difficulty, utilizing a flight simulator used in actual flight training.
2. Expert captains showed significantly higher DLPFC activity in the left hemisphere than in the right one, whereas no significant (n.s.) difference was observed in the young trainees.
3. The result suggests that training as an airline pilot for over 20 years influences brain activity, and it may be possible for fNIRS to assist in assessing such abilities.

3. Shimadzu: Analysis of Heavy Metals in Cosmetics by ICP-MS - ISO 21392 -

• application

User Benefits

• Safety assessment of cosmetics can be conducted using ICP-MS measurements as described in ISO 21392.
• Reduced running costs due to the use of a mini torch that uses less argon gas.

Introduction: Cosmetics are directly applied to the skin. Therefore, any Impurities in them must be carefully monitored. The International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) recommended limits for Pb (10 ppm) in 2013 and for Hg (1 ppm) in 2016. Regarding analyzing elements in cosmetics, ISO 1392 (Measurement of traces of heavy metals in cosmetic finished products using ICP/MS technique) was issued on August 17, 2021. This test method demonstrates the technique for measuring heavy metals in cosmetic products using ICP-MS. In this Application news, eight elements, including those listed in ISO 21392 (Cr, Co, Ni, As, Cd, Sb, Pb) and mercury (Hg), were analyzed with the Shimadzu ICPMS-2040/2050 ICP mass spectrometer (Fig. 1).

Conclusion: Simultaneous analysis of heavy metals in cosmetics was performed by ICP-MS with reference to ISO21392. It was found that the ICPMS-2040/2050 could be used for analysis with a sensitivity that was well within the required value. The recovery test results were good, and the validity of the analysis was confirmed.

By using a mini torch, the argon gas consumption and running costs were reduced.

4. Agilent Technologies: Rapid Assay of Sodium Hexafluorophosphate for Use in Sodium-Ion Batteries by ICP-OES

• application

Quantification of 26 impurity elements in sodium salt-based electrolytes using ICP-OES

Introduction: Sodium-ion battery (Na-ion battery, SIB, or NIB) technology is still emerging, although battery packs are already being used in stationary energy storage systems and low-cost electric transport applications, including electric vehicles. China dominates global SIB production, accounting for roughly 95% of the world's capacity. However, interest and development of this technology is also increasing in other regions due to the cost-effectiveness, safety, fast charging times, and long life cycles of SIBs. The production capacity of the batteries worldwide is expected to rise significantly by 2030.

The electrolyte of a battery facilitates the movement of ions between the cathode and anode, making it a key component that affects the charge transfer properties and overall performance of the final device. Many SIBs use a Na-conducting salt as the electrolyte, such as sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF₆), sodium perchlorate (NaClO₄), or sodium bistrifluoromethylsulfonimide (NaTFSI).

NaPF6 is the most widely used salt due to its higher ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability compared to the other salts. However, these properties can be affected by the presence of elemental impurities such as chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in the electrolyte. Impurities can also lead to side reactions within the electrolyte or can contribute to the formation of passivation layers on electrode surfaces or current collectors, reducing overall battery efficiency, lifespan, and safety. The detection of trace elements in Na salt electrolytes has therefore become an essential part of the quality control (QC) process in Na-ion battery manufacturing.

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) is a fast, robust analytical technique that is widely used for the simultaneous measurement of multiple trace elements in complex battery-related samples.

However, the presence of many Na and other metal ions in the plasma can affect the analysis of easily ionized elements (EIEs), such as calcium (Ca), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), and potassium (K) leading to false high results. To avoid ionization interference by the Na matrix on other elements, ICP-OES is often used in radial view mode. However, radial view mode lacks the sensitivity required for the analysis of trace elements, which is problematic if EIEs are present in the electrolyte at low concentrations. In response to this challenge, an Agilent 5800 Vertical Dual View (VDV) ICP-OES operating in axial view mode was used to determine low-concentration elemental impurities in the Na-based electrolytes. Agilent ICP-OES systems use a resilient, plug-and-play torch configuration to produce a vertical plasma that is especially good at handling challenging matrices, including battery-related samples. The solid-state RF (SSRF) system of the Agilent ICP-OES instruments, operating at 27 MHz, and a Cooled Cone Interface (CCI) produce a reliable, robust, and maintenance-free plasma suitable for high matrix samples, such as Na-salt electrolytes. The CCI deflects the plasma’s cooler tail, avoiding interferences that form in that region and enabling measurement of most elements at trace concentration levels in axial view mode. Matrix matched calibration standards were also used to minimize EIE interferences.

The 5800 method, which was used to determine 26 analytes in two NaPF6 electrolyte samples, was evaluated in terms of sensitivity, accuracy, and stability. The elements included aluminum, arsenic, boron, beryllium, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, lithium, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, niobium, nickel, lead, sulfur, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, zinc, and zirconium. While there is currently no standard for sodium hexafluorophosphate, many of these elements are specified in the China standard GB/T 19282-2014 for lithium hexafluorophosphate, plus some elements of concern within the industry.

5. Agilent Technologies: From Collection to Analysis: A Practical Guide to Sample Preparation and Processing of Microplastics

• technical note

Essential laboratory setup, sample preparation steps, and analytical methods for analyzing microplastics

Introduction: Microplastics are defined as any polymer that is between 1 and 5,000 μm. They can further be separated into small (1 to 1,000 μm) and large (1 to 5 mm) microplastics. Additionally, they can be distinguished as primary or secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics are plastic particles that have been intentionally manufactured for personal care products, such as microbeads, or for industrial applications, such as pellets. Secondary microplastics are small plastic particles created through larger plastic products that undergo weathering and degradation. Current research has shown that secondary microplastics are more prominent than primary microplastics.

The analytical process for extracting microplastics from various matrices typically involves sample collection, sample preparation, and instrumental analysis. Each of these steps presents an opportunity for the introduction or loss of microplastics. This highlights the importance of robust sample preparation methods, quality assurance, and quality control (QA/QC) measures. QA/QC practices allow researchers to assess the reliability of data.

The success of any spectroscopic analysis of microplastic particles relies on the effectiveness of the sample preparation procedure. Inadequate or improper preparation can introduce errors into the analysis, resulting in unreliable data. Whether using infrared (IR) or Raman microscopy, it is essential to isolate microplastic particles and distribute them discretely on a substrate for analysis. The more complex the matrix, the more extensive the preparation required. Standardizing sample preparation methods is crucial for enabling the comparison of results across different studies.

This guide covers key aspects of sample preparation to ensure accurate and standardized characterization of microplastics relevant to the Agilent 8700 Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) chemical imaging system. The guide focuses on three main areas:

• Essential tools and considerations for setting up a microplastics laboratory
• The sample preparation process
• Microplastics analysis methods using LDIR in various matrices, including bottled drinking water, environmental water, sand and sediment, and infant formula