Agilent ICP-MS Journal (May 2015 – Issue 61)

Importance of the Topic

Analytical advances in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), triple quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QQQ), optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES) are driving new applications across nanotechnology, environmental forensics, food and beverage authentication, pharmaceutical and sports drug testing, and quality assurance in industrial laboratories.

Objectives and Study Overview

This issue presents six case studies and technology reports from Agilent Technologies covering:

• Single particle nanoparticle characterization by ICP-MS software
• Doping control in horse racing using ICP-MS
• Removal of 204Hg isobaric interference on 204Pb by ICP-QQQ
• Use of certified reference materials (CRMs) to improve laboratory efficiency
• The record attendance and scientific program at the European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry (EWCPS)
• Enhanced throughput with the new SPS 4 autosampler for atomic spectroscopy

Methodology and Instrumentation

The studies utilize the following instruments and methods:

• Agilent 7900 ICP-MS with MassHunter Single Nanoparticle Application Module for fast time-resolved acquisition (dwell times ≈100 µs)
• Agilent 8800 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QQQ) in MS/MS mode with NH₃ reaction gas to remove isobaric overlaps
• Agilent 5100 ICP-OES and 4200 MP-AES for certification of trace impurities in reference materials
• Agilent 7500ce ICP-MS for cobalt testing in equine samples
• SPS 4 autosampler featuring a rigid gantry design, environmental enclosure option, multi-rack capacity and high-speed probe movement

Key Results and Discussion

• Single Particle ICP-MS: Gold and silver nanoparticle size distributions and concentrations (30–100 nm) matched certified reference values and TEM results. Mixed populations of Au NPs were resolved accurately, demonstrating the method’s ability to discriminate size groups in complex samples.
• Horse Racing Doping Control: A 200 ppb cobalt urine threshold was adopted nationally in Australia. Collaborative studies with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and US trotting authorities confirmed that ICP-MS delivers the sensitivity, selectivity and legal defensibility needed for performance-enhancing element testing.
• 204Hg Interference Removal: The Agilent 8800 ICP-QQQ with NH₃ cell gas achieved accurate 204Pb/206Pb ratios in lead isotope standards spiked with Hg and rare earth elements, whereas single-quadrupole and no-gas modes produced significant bias.
• Certified Reference Materials: Agilent CRMs for AA, MP-AES, ICP-OES and ICP-MS demonstrated equivalent performance to industry benchmarks in wear metal and biodiesel matrices, improving traceability, reducing uncertainties and simplifying compliance with ISO/IEC 17025.
• EWCPS Conference: Over 700 delegates from 45 countries attended 178 lectures and 260 posters. Agilent instruments were the most cited ICP-MS platforms (including ICP-QQQ) and an evening event fostered community engagement. The 2015 Plasma Award honored Prof. Jörg Feldmann for outstanding contributions to arsenolipid research.
• SPS 4 Autosampler: The new design delivers up to 360 samples or 768 microtiter wells, improved probe accuracy, faster throughput and enhanced sample integrity, meeting the demands of ultra-trace ICP-MS and high-volume FAAS/ICP-OES laboratories.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Methods

• Comprehensive nanoparticle characterization in environmental, biomedical and materials research
• Robust forensic and regulatory testing for animal and human sports anti-doping programs
• High-precision isotopic ratio analysis for geochronology, archaeology and environmental tracing
• Streamlined laboratory workflows and quality control via certified reference materials
• Enhanced networking and knowledge exchange at international plasma spectrometry conferences
• Increased analytical throughput and reproducibility with advanced autosampling solutions

Future Trends and Applications

• Expansion of single particle ICP-MS into biodegradation and nanoparticle fate studies
• Broader adoption of ICP-QQQ for complex matrix interferences and isotope dilution methods
• Development of multi-element metallo-organic and bio-reference materials for emerging markets
• Integration of high-throughput automation with advanced data analytics and AI-driven spectral interpretation
• Continued growth in international collaborations and standardization initiatives for plasma spectrochemistry

Conclusion

The latest generation of Agilent atomic spectroscopy platforms, software and reference materials delivers unmatched sensitivity, accuracy and throughput across a wide range of analytical challenges. From nanoparticle characterization and isotopic ratio analysis to forensic doping control and routine QC, these innovations empower laboratories to achieve reliable results and meet evolving regulatory and research requirements.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent 7900 ICP-MS
• Agilent 8800 ICP-QQQ
• Agilent 7500ce ICP-MS
• Agilent 5100 ICP-OES
• Agilent 4200 MP-AES
• SPS 4 Autosampler

References

1. Salit, M.; Turk, G.; et al. “Evaluation of a High-Performance Spectroscopy Protocol”; Anal. Chem. 2001, 73, 4821–4829.
2. Agilent Application Note 5991-5270EN, “Removal of 204Hg Isobaric Interference from 204Pb using ICP-QQQ in MS/MS Mode.”
3. Agilent White Paper 5991-5516EN, “Characterization of Nanoparticles in Aqueous Samples by ICP-MS.”