Analysis of process water from hydrogen fuel cells using triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Importance of the topic

Process water from hydrogen fuel cells must be monitored for inorganic trace contaminants to ensure membrane integrity and catalyst stability. Monitoring metals and non metals down to ultratrace levels supports reliable operation and informs materials development. Fluorine analysis serves as key indicator of polymer electrolyte degradation.

Study objectives and overview

This study demonstrates use of triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to quantify 53 analytes including fluorine in hydrogen fuel cell process water with high sensitivity and accuracy. The work compares single quadrupole analysis in helium collision mode against triple quadrupole oxygen reactive mode to eliminate interferences.

Methodology and instrumentation

An iCAP TQe ICP-MS equipped with quartz torch and nickel cones was operated in both single quadrupole helium KED mode and triple quadrupole oxygen reaction mode. A MicroMist nebulizer and quartz cyclonic spray chamber controlled sample introduction. An iSC65 autosampler with Step Ahead feature accelerated throughput. Reaction finder tool in Qtegra software selected optimum isotopes and reaction conditions. Calibration was performed over four orders of magnitude for minor elements and two orders for major elements. Sample preparation used nitric acid and hydrochloric acid mixed solution and certified single element standards.

Key results and discussion

Oxygen reaction mode fully removed polyatomic interferences on phosphorus and sulfur enabling use of the most abundant isotopes with detection limits improved by two orders of magnitude compared to helium KED. Background equivalent concentrations were reduced to low microgram per liter levels for all key analytes. Calibration curves showed correlation coefficients above 0.999. Continuing calibration checks and spike recoveries ranged between 89 and 107 percent with relative standard deviation below five percent. Fluorine analysis was achieved indirectly via formation of barium fluoride measured at mass 157 in oxygen reaction mode. A detection limit of 30 microgram per liter was obtained with full interference removal.

Benefits and practical applications

• Ultratrace detection of metals and non metals supports quality control of fuel cell materials
• Triple quadrupole oxygen mode eliminates complex interferences caused by polyatomic species and peak tailing
• High throughput autosampler reduces analysis time per sample
• Indirect fluorine measurement enables monitoring of membrane degradation

Future trends and opportunities

Integration of online ICP MS monitoring into hydrogen production facilities may enable real time assessment of water purity. Advances in reactive gases and collision cell technology could extend interference free analysis to additional challenging analytes. Expansion of indirect methods may allow speciation of halogen compounds in complex matrices.

Conclusion

The iCAP TQe ICP MS platform offers robust interference removal and ultratrace sensitivity for comprehensive inorganic profiling of process water from hydrogen fuel cells. Both helium collision and oxygen reaction modes deliver reliable results but oxygen mode is essential for phosphorous sulfur and fluorine. Excellent stability and recovery performance make this approach ideal for routine monitoring in research and industrial laboratories.

Reference

1. Laili Jamari Novel non target analysis of fluorine compounds using ICPMS MS and HPLC ICPMS MS Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 2017 32 942 to 950