Agilent ICP-MS Journal (April 2017 – Issue 68)

Importance of the Topic

Environmental, pharmaceutical, and industrial analyses increasingly demand rapid, sensitive methods capable of handling complex matrices such as seawater, sediments, and biological samples. Innovations in ICP-MS, tandem quadrupole technology, and automated sample introduction address challenges of high matrix loads, spectral interferences, and labor-intensive preparation.

Objectives and Study Overview

This collection of studies and applications aims to streamline workflows and enhance detection capabilities by:

• Developing a direct seawater analysis method using Agilent 7800 ICP-MS with High Matrix Introduction and ISIS 3 loop injection.
• Implementing ultrasensitive high-throughput elemental speciation of organotin compounds by GC-ICP-MS.
• Demonstrating the utility of ICP-QQQ technology for interference removal and isotope ratio analysis.
• Integrating the ESI prepFAST autosampler with Agilent ICP-MS MassHunter for automated calibration and dilution.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Key instrumentation and techniques include:

• Agilent 7800 ICP-MS equipped with High Matrix Introduction (HMI), ORS4 collision cell (He mode), and ISIS 3 loop injection system.
• GC-ICP-MS systems (Agilent 7890/7900 ICP-MS) with DB-5ms columns for organotin speciation, employing peralkylation derivatization.
• Agilent 8800 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QQQ) using methyl fluoride reaction gas to shift target analytes and eliminate polyatomic overlaps.
• ESI prepFAST autosampler with syringe-based autodilution, on-the-fly calibration, and integration via the MassHunter plugin.

Main Results and Discussion

• The direct seawater method achieved detection limits below regulatory thresholds (e.g., 0.036 µg/L for Ni) without chemical pre-treatment, maintaining accuracy and precision across diverse saline matrices.
• GC-ICP-MS speciation delivered LODs of 2 ng/L for tributyltin, excellent spike recoveries, and robust quantification in water, sediment, food, and toy extracts.
• ICP-QQQ with CH₃F gas effectively resolved As and Se from Cl-based polyatomic interferences, and enabled accurate ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratio measurements in environmental samples.
• The prepFAST integration automated standard and sample dilutions, reducing hands-on time, preventing contamination, and supporting high-throughput workflows.

Benefits and Practical Applications

These advancements allow laboratories to:

• Perform direct, rapid analysis of high-matrix samples with minimal preparation.
• Achieve ultrasensitive speciation for environmental and regulatory compliance.
• Remove spectral interferences and enhance isotopic accuracy using tandem ICP-MS.
• Streamline calibration, dilution, and tuning steps for improved reproducibility and productivity.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Ongoing developments are expected in:

• Expanded reaction cell chemistries and automated tuning routines for broader interference control.
• Further integration of automated front ends and lab-wide data management systems.
• Advanced speciation protocols for emerging contaminants and bioavailability studies.
• Wider adoption of ICP-MS/MS in fields such as geochemistry, food authenticity, and nanoparticle analysis.

Conclusion

The combination of advanced ICP-MS technologies and automated sample handling significantly enhances analytical speed, sensitivity, and reliability. These integrated solutions meet stringent quality requirements while reducing labor intensity, positioning laboratories to address evolving analytical challenges more effectively.

References

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