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11:16
A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction
Published on: March 5, 2015
Introducing wet aerosols into the static high sensitivity ICP (SHIP)
Andy Scheffer1, Carsten Engelhard, Michael Sperling
1University of Münster, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Corrensstr. 30, 48149, Münster, Germany.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|June 27, 2007
Summary
A novel static high sensitivity ICP (SHIP) design offers significant argon savings and comparable detection limits to conventional systems. This demountable ICP-OES system excels with low-flow nebulizers for efficient wet aerosol introduction.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Atomic Spectroscopy
- Spectrometry
Background:
- Conventional Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) systems are widely used for elemental analysis but are argon-intensive.
- Developing more efficient and sensitive ICP sources is crucial for advancing analytical capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present and evaluate a demountable static high sensitivity ICP (SHIP) as an excitation source for optical emission spectrometry.
- To investigate the performance of SHIP with wet aerosols introduced via various nebulizers and spray chambers.
- To optimize gas flow rates for SHIP and assess its analytical capabilities, including sensitivity, stability, and argon consumption.
Main Methods:
- A demountable static high sensitivity ICP (SHIP) system was designed and coupled with pneumatic nebulizers (cross-flow, Meinhard, PFA low-flow) and spray chambers (double-pass, cyclonic).
- Optimization of gas flow rates for SHIP was performed using signal-to-background ratio (SBR) and robustness as targets.
- Analytical performance was evaluated by determining limits of detection, short-term stability, wash-out behavior, and analyzing a certified reference material (NIST SRM 1643e).
Main Results:
- A low-flow nebulizer (0.3-0.5 L min(-1)) was found to be optimal for the low-flow SHIP plasma.
- Optimized SHIP conditions achieved low microgram per litre detection limits, comparable to conventional ICP systems.
- The SHIP system demonstrated significant argon savings (approx. 95%) and minimal memory effects due to its closed torch design.
- Analysis of NIST SRM 1643e yielded 97-103% recoveries for 13 elements.
Conclusions:
- The demountable SHIP design is a highly sensitive and argon-efficient alternative to conventional ICP systems for optical emission spectrometry.
- SHIP effectively handles wet aerosol introduction with optimized low-flow nebulizers.
- The system exhibits excellent analytical performance, including low detection limits and good stability, making it suitable for trace element analysis.
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