News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 22, 2025

Our Library never stops expanding. What are the most recent contributions to LabRulezICPMS Library in the week of 26th May 2025? Check out new documents from the field of spectroscopy/spectrometry and related techniques!

👉 SEARCH THE LARGEST REPOSITORY OF DOCUMENTS ABOUT SPECTROSCOPY/SPECTROMETRY RELATED TECHNIQUES

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

This week we bring you brochures by Agilent Technologies and Bruker Optics and application by Shimadzu!

1. Agilent Technologies: Leave Interferences Behind With MS/MS 

Agilent 8900 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS

• Brochure
• Full PDF for download

The brochure presents the Agilent 8900 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QQQ), a powerful instrument designed for high-performance elemental analysis. Building upon the legacy of the 8800, the 8900 offers enhanced interference removal through MS/MS mode, enabling precise and consistent trace-level quantification in complex matrices. Its ability to resolve isobaric and polyatomic interferences makes it ideal for applications in semiconductor manufacturing, food safety, environmental monitoring, life sciences, and geochemistry.

The instrument's MS/MS capability uses a dual mass filter system to isolate the target analyte and eliminate undesired ions, ensuring highly accurate results. The system is equipped to perform ultratrace measurements of challenging elements like silicon and sulfur and can differentiate between overlapping isotopes, which is critical in nuclear science and geochronology. The high sensitivity and selectivity make it suitable for analyzing rare earth elements, radionuclides, and nanoparticles even below 50 nm in size.

Instrumentation highlights include a Peltier-cooled low-flow sample introduction system, high-efficiency plasma RF generator, advanced ion optics, and a 4-stage vacuum system for optimal ion transmission and sensitivity. The system features a dual quadrupole mass filter configuration (Q1 and Q2), the fourth-generation Octopole Reaction System (ORS4), and a versatile electron multiplier detector. These components work together to handle high matrix samples and enable ultra-fast and reliable elemental analysis.

Agilent’s ICP-MS MassHunter software provides a user-friendly interface with automation features, customizable method wizards, and integrated quality control tools. Advanced modules support nanoparticle and single-cell analysis, speciation with various chromatographic interfaces (LC, GC, FFF), and seamless data integration with third-party accessories. Predefined methods and analytical wizards simplify operation, making the 8900 suitable for both routine and advanced research environments.

A broad array of accessories further enhances functionality, including high-throughput autosamplers, inert sample kits, organics kits, and integrated dilution systems. The 8900 ICP-QQQ represents a complete analytical solution, offering unmatched flexibility, robustness, and analytical performance across a wide range of demanding applications.

2. Bruker Optics: FT-IR AND RAMAN-MICROSCOPY - Microplastic Analysis 

Daily used by leading microplastic scientists, worldwide

• Brochure
• Full PDF for download

What are Microplastics? 

According to definition, polymer particles with a diameter of less than 5 mm are referred to as microplastic particles (MPP). Depending on their origin, they are further subdivided into primary and secondary particles.

Primary MPP are those which have been specifically produced for industrial use, while secondary MPPs are formed by physical, biological and chemical degradation of macroscopic plastics. 

Why use FT-IR and Raman Micro Spectroscopy? 

Microscopy is a quick and easy way to detect particles by their visual appearance. However, combined with infrared or Raman spectroscopy its effectiveness increases greatly, now including a chemical analysis. Bruker favors a comprehensive analytical approach, in which MPP must be found and identified reliably, without the chance for human error.

Why Go for Bruker? 

Bruker draws upon decades of experience in vibrational spectroscopy and has been at the forefront of investigating microplastics from the very beginning. Today, we are helping scientists worldwide to better understand this global threat to our ecosystems. We provide the necessary tools and technologies to conduct failsafe and precise microplastic studies.

About Detection and Analysis of Microplastics

Approach #1: Light Microscopy and Spectroscopy 

For particles >500 µm, the combination of a standard light microscope and a powerful compact spectrometer can be a good and inexpensive solution. After the particles were detected with a microscope, they are brought to the spectrometer for chemical analysis. 

Approach #2: FT-IR and Raman Microscopy 

The gold standard in MPP analysis. Not only can small particles in the lower micrometer range be easily identified, but handling is also greatly improved. However, this approach poses more requirements to sample preparations (see below). 

Approach #3: FT-IR and Raman Imaging 

The use of FT-IR or Raman imaging in microscopy offers huge benefits. In this case particles are no longer identified by optical means, but by using chemical contrast only. Especially for high concentrations of microplastics, this speeds up analysis and reduces human error significantly.

Our Microplastic Solution Portfolio

ATR FT-IR Spectroscopy

• Minimum Particle Size: > 500 µm
• Filter Requirements: Not applicable
• Degree of Automation: Low
• Acquisition Speed: Slow
• Cost: €
• Instruments: ALPHA II, INVENIO S

FT-IR Microscopy

• Minimum Particle Size: > 10 µm
• Filter Requirements: IR transparent
• Degree of Automation: High
• Acquisition Speed: Fast
• Cost: €€
• Instruments: LUMOS II, HYPERION II

ATR FT-IR Microscopy

• Minimum Particle Size: > 5 µm
• Filter Requirements: Any filter or substrate
• Degree of Automation: High
• Acquisition Speed: Medium
• Cost: €€
• Instruments: LUMOS II, HYPERION II

FT-IR Imaging

• Minimum Particle Size: > 5 µm
• Filter Requirements: IR transparent
• Degree of Automation: Very high
• Acquisition Speed: Very fast
• Cost: €€€
• Instruments: LUMOS II, HYPERION II

ATR FT-IR Imaging

• Minimum Particle Size: > 2 µm
• Filter Requirements: Any filter or substrate
• Degree of Automation: High
• Acquisition Speed: Medium
• Cost: €€
• Instruments: LUMOS II, HYPERION II

Raman Imaging

• Minimum Particle Size: > 0.5 µm
• Filter Requirements: Non-fluorescent
• Degree of Automation: Very high
• Acquisition Speed: Fast
• Cost: €€€
• Instrument: SENTERRA II

3. Shimadzu: Speciation Analysis of Mercury in Seafood by LC-ICP-MS and Introduction of Autosampler Automatic Dilution Function

• Application
• Full PDF for download

User Benefits

• Speciation analysis of mercury in seafood by LC-ICP-MS system can be performed accurately.
• Using a method package for analyzing mercury species eliminates the need to register analytical conditions, etc.
• The autosampler’s auto-dilution function eliminates any manual dilution process, saving time and effort.

Mercury tends to accumulate through the food chain, and some foods, such as seafood, may contain high levels of mercury. However, mercury exists in various forms, and the toxicity differs depending on the form. Generally, methyl mercury is more toxic than inorganic mercury and other organic mercury. Evaluating the toxicity in food requires not only analysis as total mercury but also by the form of mercury. LC-ICP-MS, which separates mercury by species using HPLC and detects mercury with high sensitivity using ICP-MS, is an analytical method suitable for the speciation analysis of mercury. In this Application News, speciation analysis of methyl mercury and total mercury in seafood was performed using an LC-ICP-MS system, which connected ICPMS-2040/2050 with Nexera XS inert. Furthermore, we also evaluated the automatic dilution function of the Nexera series autosampler for the speciation analysis of mercury.

Speciation Analysis of Mercury in Seafood

Fig. 4. shows a chromatogram of the seafood (tuna) extraction. Speciation analysis of methyl mercury and total mercury in the seafood was performed following FDA EAM 4.8. Hence, the total mercury was calculated as the sum concentration of inorganic mercury and methyl mercury. The results of the seafood analysis and spike recovery tests are shown in Table 4. Good recoveries were obtained for each component (Methyl mercury 102 %, total mercury 105 %).

Conclusion

In this Application News, speciation analysis of methyl mercury and total mercury in seafood was performed using an LC-ICP-MS system that connected an ICPMS-2040/2050 to a Nexera XS inert according to the conditions in the “LC-ICP-MS Method Package for Mercury Speciation Analysis.” The separation of inorganic mercury, methyl mercury, and ethyl mercury was confirmed by analyzing the calibration standards. Moreover, analysis of methyl mercury and total mercury in seafood was performed. Good spike recoveries indicated that the analysis of methyl mercury and total mercury in seafood can be performed accurately using this system. The automatic dilution function of the Nexera XS inert autosampler was used to create calibration curves for each mercury species. In the validation test, the results for both accuracy and precision were good. This function simplifies the preparation of calibration standards.