News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 48, 2024
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Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in week 48, 2024? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy, especially ICP/MS techniques!
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This week we bring you applications and other documents by Agilent Technologies, Shimadzu, Anton Paar, and Thermo Fisher Scientific!
1. Thermo Fisher Scientific: Analysis of impurities in non-ferrous metals and nickel-based superalloys using single quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
- Application
Goal
The goal of this application note is to demonstrate how ICP-MS can be used for reliable analysis of impurities as well as major components of pure metals and metal alloys.
Introduction
The properties of a material are critical to its successful use in modern applications. Specific mechanical or chemical properties are often dependent on the presence and level of certain elements in the material. As a large proportion of construction materials are based on metallurgical products, it is critical to understand the concentrations of the trace elements in pure metals or alloys. Modern metal-based materials can be classified into non-ferrous and ferrous metals. Ferrous materials are based on iron as the main component, and therefore include different types of steel (i.e., cast iron or stainless steel). This leads to properties such as high temperature resistance as well as the
potential for being recycled easily. On the contrary, non-ferrous materials do not contain iron and refer to metals such as aluminium, copper, or zinc, and alloys such as brass.
Both ferrous and non-ferrous materials play crucial roles in various industries, such as modern architecture and construction, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and (clean) energy generation. Understanding the characteristics, properties, and potential impact of processing techniques is essential for metallurgical engineers to design and produce high-quality products for different applications. The exact composition, including major components, additives, and trace impurities, needs to be thoroughly determined to ensure the final product meets the performance requirements in terms of corrosion and heat resistance, conductivity, or formability.
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is often the technique of choice for the determination of impurities at trace and ultra-trace levels due to its outstanding sensitivity. As a full multi-elemental analysis can be accomplished in only a few minutes, it also allows high sample throughput. However, ICP-MS is also well known for its historically limited ability to analyze samples with elevated matrix load. The sample matrix could significantly affect the sensitivity of the instrument, cause intensity fluctuation of the internal standard (suppression and drift), and lead to increased system maintenance with unwanted downtime due to obstruction of the interface cones, torch and injector,
or the nebulizer. To overcome this limitation, samples must be diluted, either using liquid diluents or using argon gas provided directly from the instrument itself.
This application note focuses on the development of a fast, robust, and accurate method for the analysis of bulk and trace elements in ferrous and non-ferrous materials using the Thermo Scientific™ iCAP™ MSX ICP-MS with Argon Gas Dilution (AGD).
Conclusions
The iCAP MSX ICP-MS was used to analyze 20 elements in digested nickel superalloys certified reference materials, as well as selected single element standard solutions containing 1,000 mg·L-1 of elements typically used for the preparation of non-ferrous materials and alloys. Among the analytes, several critical interferences can cause unexpected bias, however He KED mode allowed consistent removal in most cases. This analytical method was rigorously tested, and the results obtained clearly demonstrated the following analytical advantages:
- The use of a single measurement mode in combination with other features to increase productivity of the instrument allowed the total analysis time to be reduced to <3 min/sample (including uptake and wash time).
- The analysis results for the 20 elements under investigation (comprising both major components as well as trace and ultra-trace level impurities) showed excellent agreement with certified values.
- The developed method provides the required detection limits and a linear response for all analytes and allows coverage of a dynamic range between 25 to 1,000,000 μg·L-1.
The use of Argon Gas Dilution (AGD Level 5) was proven to be an effective way to overcome the challenges associated with high and moreover variable matrix content. Dilution is accomplished automatically inside the instrument with no additional sample handling required. AGD is fully integrated and supported in the
Qtegra ISDS Software, so that it is easy to set up and operate.
2. Shimadzu: Screening Analysis of Trace Heavy Metals in Powdered Milk
- Application
User Benefits
- ALTRACE realizes the same analysis sensitivity as the conventional instrument (EDX-7000) in 1/10 the measurement time.
- Improved workability can be expected, as continuous analysis of up to 48 specimens is possible.
- Simple screening analysis of heavy metals without complex sample preparation is possible because it is only necessary to set the sample in the sample holder.
Introduction
One test method for heavy metals in food products is the color reaction (staining) method, but because that method cannot identify metals (elements) or is influenced by the sample components, AA (atomic absorption spectrophotometry), ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry) or ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) is used for elemental analysis. However, sample preparation for these test and analysis methods requires a lot of work, such as component extraction with reagents and acidic cleavage, and in the case of the staining method, individual differences in judgment have become an issue in production process and quality control. For this reason, we propose a method using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), which enables simple analysis in the entire process from sample preparation to measurement and judgment.
In general, quantitation by EDXRF at levels below 1 ppm is difficult, as shown in Table 1, because these values are around or below the limit of quantitation. However, in the case of powdered milk, the standard values for the powder form before dissolution in hot water are about 7.7 times higher than the values shown in Table 1. This means that a screening analysis to determine whether the concentration is below the standard value or not is possible with EDXRF, which can analyze powders as-is.
Since the sensitivity of the ALTRACE for heavy metal elements was substantially improved in comparison with the conventional EDXRF (EDX-7000) by installing a high output X-ray tube, it is now possible to analyze samples with same sensitivity as the conventional instrument in only 1/10 the measurement time.
Conclusion
Excellent results were obtained for both the calibration curves and the analysis results of powdered milk. EDXRF is useful for production process and quality control, as it is possible to measure samples directly in powder form or with only simple sample preparation, and thanks to its simple instrument handling and excellent repeatability, there are virtually no individual differences in results and judgments.
The sensitivity of ALTRACE for heavy metal elements was substantially improved by installing a high power X-ray tube, enabling highly accurate management in a shorter time, thereby contributing to improved throughput.
<Related Application News> 1. Screening Analysis of Trace Heavy Elements in Powdered Milk by EDXRF, Application News No.X260
3. Agilent Technologies: Agilent V-groove Nebulizer for ICP-OES and MP-AES
- Technical note
Elevate Your Lab Efficiency with Unmatched Robustness
Boost your productivity with the Agilent inert V-groove nebulizer and say farewell to downtime caused by nebulizer blockages! Designed to tackle the toughest
samples, this nebulizer is virtually unblockable thanks to its parallel-path design and V-groove nebulization.
Engineered with a precision-made ceramic V-groove tip and a 1 mm ID sample capillary, it ensures stable long-term performance with the most challenging sample matrices. The PEEK body makes it inert so it can handle hydrofluoric (HF) acid digests and organic solvents, including used oils that may contain large particulates.
Advantages
- Virtually Unblockable – Ideal for samples with high TDS (30%) and/or large suspended particulates (up to 350 μm).
- Enhanced Productivity – Reduces prefiltering, re-runs, and frequent maintenance.
- Robust – Virtually no risk of blockage or damage, even with large particulates or accidental drops.
- Inert – PEEK body and ceramic-tip ensures compatibility with virtually any sample, including organic solvents and geochemical digests with HF or other strong acid mixtures.
- Easy to Use – Simply replace your existing inert or high TDS nebulizer with the V-groove. No other method changes are required.
- Simple Maintenance – Eliminate unplanned blockages by rinsing after analysis and clean regularly.
Elevate your lab’s performance with the Agilent inert V-groove nebulizer. Experience the confidence of trouble-free analysis and long-term stability.
10 benefits of the inert Agilent V-groove nebulizer
- Eliminates downtime from frequent nebulizer blockage
- Inert: use with virtually any solution
- Lower running costs: Reduce the need to clean or discard blocked nebulizers
- Improve productivity: Reduces rework caused by blockages
- Improve Efficiency: Reduce filtering and maintenance
- Higher throughput: Excellent long-term stability means longer runs
- Less downtime: Minimize blockage with high TDS samples
- Suitable for any ICP-OES and MP-AES systems
- Easy set-up: Replaces a conventional glass concentric or inert nebulizers without adaptors or method changes
- Reduced administration costs: Agilent can satisfy all your supply needs
4. Anton Paar: Tank Terminals Overview
- Brochure
Be Efficient. Be Confident. Be in Control: Solutions for Tank Terminals.
UPGRADE YOUR ANALYTICAL CAPABILITIES TO SAVE TIME AND REDUCE COSTS
With our broad portfolio of analyzing instruments for tank terminals – ranging from portable devices that you can use in hazardous environments to highly accurate lab instruments and inline equipment that give you real-time results – you’re ready to implement your own 24/7 lab base and perform essential tests in just a few minutes.
FUTURE-PROOF YOUR TERMINAL
With us, the choice is yours: Start with simple lab analysis or go directly for the online sensor, which delivers real-time results right from the pipe. Future-proof your terminal – no matter the number and type of products traded at it.
DMA 35 Ex Petrol
DMA 35 Ex Petrol is the only intrinsically safe portable density meter for quick and reliable product identification according to ASTM D7777 – even in hazardous environments. In contrast to hydrometers, this instrument covers the whole density range for all your products and gives you results 10x faster.
DMA 1001
The compact density meter DMA 1001 verifies product specifications according to ASTM D4052 outside the traditional lab. It only requires 70 % of the space compared to other density meters. External influences don’t affect the stable measuring technology, so you can place the instrument in a mobile lab or near a sampling location.
Xsample 530/630 + DMA 4x01 / SVM 3001
The high-throughput sample changers, Xsample 530 for up to 71 fuel samples and Xsample 630 with 36 positions for heavy samples, fully automate your lab density and viscosity meters. DMA 4101 gives you the highest throughput rates when certifying your products according to ASTM D4052. With DMA 4501, enhance your volume-to-mass conversion. Or, if you need to conduct additional measurements of viscosity according to ASTM D7042 for petroleum samples, upgrade your SVM 3001.
L-Dens 7000
The L-Dens 7000 process density sensors series provide highly accurate (4-digit), real-time density measurement for volume-to-mass conversion. This minimizes mass balance errors and ensures quick product identification in multiproduct pipelines, giving you continuous quality control.
SVM 1001
With a single measuring cell, the SVM 1001 series' features cover the entire relevant measuring range for viscosity, temperature, and density. It’s a budget-friendly, ASTM D7042-compliant solution for conducting kinematic viscosity measurements of different fuel samples (e.g., jet, diesel, and heavy fuel).
Diana 700
Used for distillation analysis according to ASTM D86, Diana 700 determines at which temperatures evaporation losses occur and whether liquid petroleum products meet the desired safety classification (i.e., boiling behavior). With efficient Peltier technology, reach required temperatures for various distillation groups in less than five minutes.
PMA 500
With the PMA 500 flash point tester, define the hazard classification of fuels, which is crucial for safe storage and transport. Its unique, ceramic-coated electric igniter reduces operational costs and has a life span that’s 10x longer compared to a traditional igniter. Its cooling technology reduces measurement times by 10 %.
