iCAP TQ ICP-MS Applications Compendium

Importance of Topic

The emergence of triple quadrupole ICP-MS has addressed long-standing challenges in elemental analysis where complex sample matrices and spectral interferences compromise detection limits and accuracy. These advances are particularly relevant across environmental monitoring, food safety, clinical research, geological dating, metallurgical quality control, pharmaceutical impurity profiling, and semiconductor manufacturing, where trace and ultratrace determinations are vital.

Objectives and Overview

This summary reviews a series of application studies employing the Thermo Scientific iCAP TQs™ ICP-MS platform, demonstrating its versatility—from automated multielement food analysis to direct trace metal screening in environmental, clinical, geological, metallurgical, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor contexts.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Triple Quadrupole Platform: iCAP TQs ICP-MS features a front-end quadrupole for ion selection, a collision/reaction cell with selectable gases (He, H₂, O₂, NH₃), and a second quadrupole for product ion mass filtering.
• Reaction Finder: Intelligent Scientific Data Solution™ software automates method development, selecting optimal scan modes (SQ vs. TQ, mass shift vs. on mass), gases, and isotopes.
• Sample Delivery: Integrated autosamplers, syringe-driven autodilution for liquids, and laser ablation interfaces for solids enable high throughput and minimal handling.

Main Results and Discussion

• Food Analysis: Automated prepFAST dilution and TQ modes achieved ng·kg⁻¹ detection limits for As, Se, and nutrients with certified reference materials agreement.
• Environmental Waters: Direct analysis of high salt samples in TQ modes delivered ng·L⁻¹ quantification with robust internal standard performance.
• Clinical Samples: Serum and urine multielement profiling showed 93–106% recovery for trace elements across µg·L⁻¹ and ng·L⁻¹ ranges.
• Geochronology and Geochemistry: TQ-ICP-MS efficiently removed isobaric overlaps (⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁷Sr; ²⁰⁴Hg/²⁰⁴Pb) and enabled accurate LA-ICP-MS U–Pb ages, Hf isotope ratios, and rare earth element distribution mapping.
• Metal Alloys and Ore Materials: Ultratrace Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, and Au in geological standards and alloys were quantified at ng·g⁻¹ levels using TQ-on-mass and mass-shift strategies.
• Pharmaceuticals: TQ-ICP-MS quantified elemental impurities in vitamin B₁₂ with sub-ng·g⁻¹ limits and mitigated carbon matrix effects via butanol addition.
• Semiconductor Reagents: Combined cold plasma, SQ-KED, and TQ-modes delivered sub-ppt limits for trace impurities in high-purity H₂SO₄, HNO₃, photoresists, and cleaning agents.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Complete Interference Removal: Polyatomic, isobaric, and doubly charged species are eliminated for superior accuracy.
• Extreme Sensitivity: ppq–ppt detection limits meet or exceed semiconductor and regulatory requirements.
• Workflow Automation: Reaction Finder and autodilution reduce manual method setup and error risks.
• Wide Dynamic Range: Single runs cover major, minor, trace, and ultratrace elements.
• Multimatrix Capability: Supports aqueous, organic, and solid sampling technologies.

Future Trends and Potential Uses

• Bioimaging and Speciation: Integration with LA or chromatography for spatially resolved chemical form mapping.
• Single Nanoparticle Analysis: Advancing TQ-ICP-MS modes for nanoparticle sizing and composition in biological and environmental samples.
• On-site Monitoring: Compact, low-maintenance triple quadrupole systems for field deployment in environmental and industrial settings.
• Next-Gen Metrology: Hybrid approaches merging cold plasma, CRC, and high-resolution techniques for ultimate interference control.

Conclusion

The Thermo Scientific iCAP TQs ICP-MS combines intelligent triple quadrupole technology with hot and cold plasma capabilities and automated method development to deliver unrivaled performance for trace and ultratrace elemental analysis in complex matrices. Its flexibility and sensitivity make it an indispensable tool across environmental, food, clinical, geological, metallurgical, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor industries.

References

• U.S. Pharmacopeia Chapters <232> <233>, Elemental Impurities Guidelines.
• Paton, C. et al., Improved U-Pb Zircon Geochronology via TQ-ICP-MS, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. (2010).
• Yang, L. & Sturgeon, R. E., Mass Bias Correction Models for MC-ICP-MS, J. Anal. At. Spectrom. (2003).
• Schulz, W.P. et al., TQ-ICP-MS for Semiconductor Reagent Analysis, Spectrochim. Acta Part B (2019).