News from LabRulezICPMS Library - Week 32, 2025

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This week we bring you technical note by Agilent Technologies, brochure by Anton Paar and application notes by Metrohm and Shimadzu!

1. Agilent Technologies: This is How You ICP-MS: Mastering the Art of Cone Performance 

A guide to maintenance of ICP-MS instruments to help you achieve the best analytical performance

• Technical note
• Full PDF for download

Focusing in on the interface region, where the cones sit, analyte ions are produced within the plasma, which is at very high temperatures and atmospheric pressure. These ions must be transmitted into a mass spectrometer, which needs to operate at very low pressures. First, these analyte ions are sampled through the first cone (the sampling cone) before they enter a low-pressure interface region where the ions expand and are extracted by a combination of a second cone (the skimmer cone) and extraction lenses. This is How You ICP-MS: Mastering the Art of Cone Performance A guide to maintenance of ICP-MS instruments to help you achieve the best analytical performance 2 Figure 1 is a schematic of the interface region. The purpose of the extraction lenses and sampling cones is to get the analyte ions through to the reaction cell, then into the quadrupole in the mass spectrometer. As well as transitioning from atmospheric pressure to very low pressure, it is important to exclude any photons or neutral species that would contribute to background signal, and only transmit positively charged analyte ions through to the mass spectrometer. Agilent provides several software tools to optimize this ion transmission.

Interface cones 

Look more closely at the interface cones. These are key to the performance of the ICP-MS, and so should be inspected regularly, focusing particularly on the orifice. Agilent offers a handy magnifier tool for this purpose. This magnifier is illuminated, and provides 10x magnification, together with a measuring scale. You need to check that the orifice is clear, that it is still circular, and that the dimensions remain correct. The sampler cone should be one millimeter in diameter. If it is clogged, it should be cleaned, and if it is enlarged, it has come to the end of its useful life and should be replaced. 

Some common interface cone issues can occur from mishandling or poor use. The cones themselves are very fragile, particularly the tip on the skimmer cone, which comes to a very fine point, so poor handling will cause problems. The tip should not be placed in contact with any surface during cleaning, removal, and reinstallation into the instrument. 

The correct skimmer base for the skimmer cone must be used – the key thing to remember is the material that you are using. Nickel skimmer cones need to use a stainless steel skimmer base, and this is the default for an x-lens system. If you are using platinum cones, you need a brass skimmer base. This is Agilent's default for the semiconductor configuration instruments. It allows control of the tip temperature to prevent overheating, and ensures that the matrix deposits in a uniform manner on the tip. 

There is a balance to be struck here as the cones should be maintained to ensure their performance, but they should not be cleaned any more than necessary. This is because any cleaning of the cones will reduce their lifetime. You must focus on the tip of the cone, especially the condition of the orifice – there is no need to clean and polish the face of the cone back to its original condition. The appearance of the cone face is essentially unimportant, but you need to ensure that the orifice is the correct dimension, is clear, and is the correct shape (Figure 2).

Tips and resources 

Finally, following are some tips, tricks, and resources to help you with your maintenance procedures, and for getting the best performance out of the ICP-MS. 

Recommended end-of-day procedure 

Follow these steps: 

1. Aspirate acid rinse solution for a few minutes before shutting off the plasma. This helps to prevent sample deposition inside the nebulizer after the run. 
2. Extinguish the plasma and switch off the chiller. 
3. Remove the sample capillary from the rinse, start the pump again, and pump any remaining rinse solution from the spray chamber. 
4. Release the pressure bars on the pump tubing and remove the bridges from the securing slot. Ensure that the tubes are no longer stretched over the pump rollers. 
5. Empty the waste vessel. 
6. Close the current worksheet – leave MassHunter S/W running. 
7. Leave the main power on. This keeps the instrument in stand-by mode (ensures fastest start-up).

2. Anton Paar: Solutions for Biomaterials Surface Characterization

• Brochure
• Full PDF for download

Anton Paar offers a suite of advanced analytical tools designed for precise surface characterization of biomaterials, addressing challenges across fields such as orthopedics, ophthalmology, dentistry, and medical devices. These instruments allow researchers and developers to study friction, wear, elasticity, chemical interactions, and optical properties of complex biological materials under conditions that closely mimic real-life scenarios inside the human body.

In orthopedics and prosthetics, the MCR tribometer simulates sliding movements with extreme precision to evaluate tribological performance, while the UNHT³ Bio indenter quantifies bone hardness and elasticity to support drug development for diseases like osteoporosis. For improving implant coatings, the SurPASS 3 system analyzes protein adsorption and zeta potential, aiding in the prevention of bacterial biofilms.

Ophthalmic applications benefit from this technology through the assessment of contact lens aging, comfort, and surface chemistry. The combination of refractive index measurement via the Abbemat refractometer and zeta potential analysis ensures product safety and comfort over time. Meanwhile, hydrogels and soft materials—difficult to measure due to their delicate nature—can be reliably tested with MCR tribometers fitted with specialized holders.

For dental and medical devices, Anton Paar offers nanoindentation and scratch testing tools such as the NHT³ and NST³ systems. These evaluate tooth enamel hardness and coating adhesion on stents, ensuring material performance and regulatory compliance. The brochure also highlights four key measurement categories—mechanical, chemical, optical, and tribological surface analyses—offering a modular approach tailored to the unique demands of biomaterial development and validation.

3. Metrohm: See-through ID with Raman technology 

Through-package identification with 1064 nm Raman

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

See-through Raman spectroscopy (ST) is a recently developed technology that expands the capability of Raman spectroscopy to measure samples through packaging materials. The technology is available on the Metrohm TacticID-1064ST (TID1064ST) handheld Raman system with 1064 nm laser excitation. This design enhances the relative intensity of the signal from deeper layers, increasing the effective sampling depth and permitting measurement of materials inside visually opaque containers. ST technology also incorporates a large sampling area. The larger sampling area has the additional advantages of preventing sample damage through reduced power density and improving measurement accuracy of heterogeneous materials.

ST AND COMMON CONTAINERS 

Through-package identification of materials in white polyethylene (PE) bottles (a common packaging for solid chemicals) and other opaque packaging such as white and manila envelopes is demonstrated with 1064 nm Raman spectroscopy. The container contribution is removed with advanced identification algorithms, and the sample is correctly identified. Identification through colored plastic, multiple opaque layers, and thick glass can be made with TID1064ST. Identification of sodium benzoate inside a white PE bottle is given in Figure 1.

Coated tablets can also be identified. ST technology penetrates the coating layer and measures the Raman spectrum of the underlying tablet. This allows the instrument to effectively sample through colored and dark materials, enabling reliable analysis without being obscured by surface effects. Figure 2 shows the Raman spectrum of a tablet with a very dark coating. Despite interference from the coating, signature peaks are still apparent.

APPLICATIONS OF ST TECHNOLOGY 

Many raw materials are packaged in single- or multilayer kraft paper sacks, often with a plastic lining. Brown kraft paper exhibits strong fluorescence under 785 nm Raman excitation, which can hinder material identification. However, with ST and 1064 nm Raman technologies, accurate identification is possible even through such challenging packaging. 

To demonstrate, we evaluated the ability of ST Raman at 1064 nm to identify several common excipients—varying in Raman scattering strength—through multi-layer paper bags used in pharmaceutical raw material packaging. As shown in Table 1, even trisodium phosphate, a notoriously low Raman scatterer, was correctly identified. A positive ID requires a hit quality index (HQI) above 85 that exceeds the second-best hit by at least 2 points. In contrast, trisodium phosphate could be identified only through white kraft paper using 785 nm excitation. 

Figure 3 shows the spectrum of trisodium phosphate as measured through a two-ply bag of white and brown kraft paper, with a positive library search result. Although the spectrum is dominated by spectral features from the paper bag, TID1064ST is capable of reliably identifying trisodium phosphate.

CONCLUSION

The ability to measure samples inside packages, eliminating the need for sample contact, is one of the major advantages of Raman spectroscopy. Metrohm’s ST technology permits measurements through opaque materials: from white plastic bottles to fiber and kraft paper sacks, envelopes, and even skin. This supports easy adoption of this spectroscopic tool in many working environments, from the laboratory to the field. The combination of ST technology and 1064 nm laser excitation addresses even dark and highly colored packaging materials. This makes Raman suitable for many new potential users, for whom it has not previously been a viable tool.

4. Shimadzu: Changes in Fluorescence Properties Due to Temperature—Using a Thermoelectric Single-Cell Constant-Temperature Holder—

• Application note
• Full PDF for download

User Benefits

• Fluorescence properties can be confirmed quickly and easily while controlling the temperature with a thermoelectrically temperature-controlled single-cell holder.
• Thermoelectric control can control temperatures in a wider range of temperatures (0 to 100 °C) than thermostatic water control.

The intensity and peak positions of fluorescence can vary depending on various external factors, such as temperature, solvent, and pH. Temperature is considered particularly important because it can affect the transition from an excited state to the ground state. Therefore, many experiments are conducted in low-temperature environments. (For an example of measuring data in a low-temperature state, refer to Application News No. A561.) Similarly, experiments are conducted in high-temperature states because fluorescent light measurements can also vary. (Peaks can shift or disappear.) This article describes an example of using a thermoelectric single-cell constant-temperature holder*1 to measure temperature variationsin the high-temperaturedirection.

Measurement Parameters

• Instruments: RF-6000 
• Optional Parts: 
  • Thermoelectric single-cell constanttemperature holder* 1
    • Constant-temperature water recirculation unit

Spectral Changes Caused by Ink Temperature

Commercially marketed ballpoint pens with erasable ink are manufactured with a special process that causes the color of the ink to disappear when it is rubbed. This is due to a reaction causedby heat from friction. 

3D spectra were measured from a commercially marketed fluorescent ballpoint pen (with a water-based orange color) by dissolving the ink in purified water to prepare a sample solution (an orange ink solution). This was measured as the temperature was varied according to the settings indicated in Table 2. Because it was a fluorescent pen, the results show fluorescence. The temperature was varied from 25 to 80 °C. A stopper-sealed cell was used for measurements with increasing temperatures. The appearance and 3D spectra of the sample at representative temperaturesare shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Conclusion 

The fluorescence spectra of lysozyme and erasable fluorescent ballpoint pen ink were measured at varying temperatures. The spectra from the aqueous lysozyme solution showed a redshift in the peak wavelength above a certain temperature. The spectra from the erasable fluorescent ballpoint pen ink showed that the fluorescent color disappeared when the solution reached a certain temperature. It also showed that along with the disappearance of fluorescent color, additional fluorescence appeared in a separate wavelength region.