Agilent ICP-MS Journal (July 2017 – Issue 69)

Significance of the Topic

ICP-MS continues to evolve as a cornerstone technique in environmental, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and materials research. Advances in automated sample preparation, high-throughput software control, sub-microliter sampling, and real-time inline monitoring improve accuracy, speed, and regulatory compliance. This issue highlights integrated workflows that streamline method setup, quality control, and data integrity for demanding trace-level analyses.

Objectives and Overview of the Issue

The July 2017 issue of the Agilent ICP-MS Journal presents a selection of new applications and technology updates:

• Automated environmental water analysis using the prepFAST M5 autodilution system.
• Elemental impurity testing in pharmaceuticals per USP <232>/<233> and ICH Q3D guidelines.
• Release of ICP-MS MassHunter 4.4 software with enhanced control of prepFAST and third-party autosamplers.
• Integration of the MVX-7100 μL workstation for low‐volume sample introduction.
• Real-time inline monitoring of metal contaminants in semiconductor process chemicals via the ESI scoutDX system.
• New Agilent–ESI ICP-QQQ applications handbook and a comprehensive bibliography of peer-reviewed ICP-QQQ studies.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Environmental samples were analyzed by coupling the ESI prepFAST M5 autodilution system to an Agilent 7900 ICP-MS, achieving precise dilutions (<±0.05% RSD) and automated QC per EPA 200.8 and EPA 6020A. Pharmaceutical elemental impurity workflows used the Agilent 7800 ICP-MS with preset USP/ICH methods, kinetic energy discrimination for interference removal, and Agilent’s certified reference materials. ICP-MS MassHunter 4.4 provides native report design, PrepFAST integration, NP module enhancements, and support for Teledyne CETAC autosamplers. The MVX-7100 μL workstation adds syringe-driven sub-µL sampling control to Agilent ICP-MS platforms. The ESI scoutDX inline system integrates up to 20 remote modules with an Agilent ICP-MS for real-time monitoring of ultrapure water and process chemicals.

Main Results and Discussion

Automated autodilution enabled rapid analysis of drinking water and soil extracts with minimal manual intervention, maintaining ISTD recoveries within defined QC limits. The 7800 ICP-MS workflow met USP <232>/<233> impurity limits through preset methods and automated compliance checks, streamlining method validation. MassHunter 4.4 removed Excel dependencies and introduced advanced report customization and intelligent sequencing for third-party automation. The MVX-7100 system demonstrated accurate sampling down to 5 µL with controlled flow rates and septum piercing. The scoutDX/ICP-MS integration allowed 24/7 inline detection of sub-ppt metal impurities across multiple chemical delivery points, enabling immediate contamination alerts.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Methods

These developments deliver:

• Higher laboratory throughput with reliable autocalibration and QC automation.
• Regulatory compliance for environmental and pharmaceutical analyses with minimal training.
• Reduced sample volumes and waste in life-science and geological studies.
• Real-time process control in semiconductor manufacturing and ultrapure chemical delivery.
• Enhanced data integrity via integrated software and compliance templates.

Future Trends and Applications

Ongoing trends include adoption of triple quadrupole ICP-MS for interference-free analysis, nanoparticle characterization, and isotopic ratio measurements. Integration of real-time monitoring and closed-loop feedback will support automated process control in manufacturing. Expansion of certified multi-element reference materials and method templates will further simplify regulatory adoption. The convergence of hardware automation and advanced software will enable next-generation workflows for trace-level and single-particle analyses.

Conclusion

Issue 69 of the Agilent ICP-MS Journal showcases integrated solutions that enhance precision, speed, and compliance across diverse applications. From automated environmental testing to inline semiconductor monitoring, these innovations demonstrate the versatility and robustness of modern ICP-MS workflows.

Used Instrumentation

• ESI prepFAST M5 autodilution system
• Agilent 7900 and 7800 ICP-MS instruments
• Agilent 8800 and 8900 ICP-QQQ
• ICP-MS MassHunter 4.4 software
• Teledyne CETAC MVX-7100 μL Workstation
• ESI scoutDX inline sampling system

References

1. A. Schultz, J. Unnerstall, S. Wilbur, prepFAST-ICP-MS: Environmental, ESI publication.
2. U.S. EPA Method 200.8: Determination of Trace Elements in Waters and Wastes by ICP-MS.
3. U.S. EPA Method 6020A: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, Revision 1, 1998.
4. K. Yamanaka, S. Wilbur, Maximizing productivity for high matrix sample analysis using the Agilent 7900 ICP-MS with ISIS 3, Agilent publication, 2014.
5. USP <232>/<233> Elemental Impurities and ICH Q3D on Elemental Impurities.
6. Agilent ICP-QQQ Applications Handbook, 3rd Edition, 2017.
7. Teledyne CETAC MVX-7100 μL Workstation plug-in for MassHunter, 2017.