3rd Edition
Practical Guide to ICP-MS A Tutorial for Beginners, Third Edition
Written by a field insider with over 20 years experience in product development, application support, and field marketing for an ICP-MS manufacturer, the third edition of Practical Guide to ICP-MS: A Tutorial for Beginners provides an updated reference that was written specifically with the novice in mind. It presents a compelling story about ICP-MS and what it has to offer, showing this powerful ultra trace-element technique in the way it was intended—a practical solution to real-world problems.
New to the third edition:
- New chapter: Emerging ICP-MS Application Areas – covers the three most rapidly growing areas: analysis of flue gas desulfurization wastewaters, fully automated analysis of seawater samples using online chemistry procedures, and characterization of engineered nanoparticles
- Discussion of all the new technology commercialized since the second edition.
- An updated glossary of terms with more than 100 new entries
- Examination of nonstandard sampling accessories, which are important for enhancing the practical capabilities of ICP-MS
- Insight into additional applications in the environmental, clinical/biomedical, and food chemistry fields as well as new directives from the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) on determining impurities in pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements using Chapters <232>, <233> and <2232>
- Description of the most important analytical factors for selecting an ICP-MS system, taking into consideration more recent application demands
This reference describes the principles and application benefits of ICP-MS in a clear manner for laboratory managers, analytical chemists, and technicians who have limited knowledge of the technique. In addition, it offers much-needed guidance on how best to evaluate capabilities and compare with other trace element techniques when looking to purchase commercial ICP-MS instrumentation.
An Overview of ICP-MS
Principles of Operation
Principles of Ion Formation
Ion Formation
Natural Isotopes
Sample Introduction
Aerosol Generation
Droplet Selection
Nebulizers
Spray Chambers
Plasma Source
The Plasma Torch
Formation of an ICP Discharge
The Function of the RF Generator
Ionization of the Sample
Interface Region
Capacitive Coupling
Ion Kinetic Energy
Benefits of a Well-Designed Interface
Ion-Focusing System
Role of the Ion Optics
Dynamics of Ion Flow
Commercial Ion Optic Designs
Mass Analyzers: Quadrupole Technology
Quadrupole Technology
Basic Principles of Operation
Quadrupole Performance Criteria
Mass Analyzers: Double-Focusing Magnetic Sector Technology
Magnetic Sector Mass Spectroscopy: A Historical Perspective
Use of Magnetic Sector Technology for ICP-MS
Principles of Operation of Magnetic Sector Technology
Resolving Power
Other Benefits of Magnetic Sector Instruments
Summing Up
Mass Analyzers: Time-of-Flight Technology
Basic Principles of Time-of-Flight (TOF) Technology
Commercial Designs
Differences between Orthogonal and On-Axis TOF
Benefits of TOF Technology for ICP-MS
Mass Analyzers: Collision/Reaction Cell and Interface Technology
Basic Principles of Collision/Reaction Cells
Different Collision/Reaction Cell Approaches
The Collision/Reaction Interface
Using Reaction Mechanisms in a Collision Cell
The "Universal" Cell
Detection Limit Comparison
Summary
Ion Detectors
Channel Electron Multiplier
Faraday Cup
Discrete Dynode Electron Multiplier
Extending the Dynamic Range
Extending the Dynamic Range Using Pulse-Only Mode
Peak Measurement Protocol
Measurement Variables
Measurement Protocol
Optimization of Measurement Protocol
Multielement Data Quality Objectives
Methods of Quantitation
Quantitative Analysis
Semiquantitative Analysis
Isotope Dilution
Isotope Ratios
Internal Standardization
Review of Interferences
Spectral Interferences
Matrix Interferences
Sample Preparation
Collecting the Sample
Preparing the Sample
Grinding the Sample
Sample Dissolution Methods
Choice of Reagents and Standards
Vessels, Containers, and Sample Preparation Equipment
The Environment
The Analyst
Instrument and Methodology
Routine Maintenance
Sample Introduction System
Interface Region
Ion Optics
Roughing Pumps
Air Filters
Other Components to Be Periodically Checked
Final Thoughts on Routine Maintenance
Alternative Sample Introduction Techniques
Laser Ablation
Flow Injection Analysis
Electrothermal Vaporization
Chilled Spray Chambers and Desolvation Devices
Direct Injection Nebulizers (DIN)
Enhanced Productivity Sampling Systems
Coupling ICP-MS with Chromatographic Techniques for Trace Element Speciation
HPLC Coupled with ICP-MS
Chromatographic Separation Requirements
Sample Introduction Requirements
Optimization of ICP-MS Parameters
Summary
Common ICP-MS Applications
Environmental
Biomedical
Geochemical
Semiconductor
Nuclear
Other Applications
Summary
Emerging ICP-MS Application Areas
The Analysis of Power Plant Flue Gas Desulfurization Wastewaters (FGDW)
Multielement Analysis of Seawater Using Automated Inline Chemistry Procedures
The Characterization of Nanoparticles by ICP-MS
Field Flow Fractionation (FFF) Coupled with ICP-MS
Comparing ICP-MS with Other Atomic Spectroscopic Techniques
Flame Atomic Absorption
Electrothermal Atomization (ETA)
Radial-View ICP Optical Emission
Axial-View ICP Optical Emission
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
Conclusion
How to Select an ICP Mass Spectrometer: Some Important Analytical Considerations
Evaluation Objectives
Financial Considerations
The Evaluation Process: A Summary
Final Thoughts
Appendix: Useful Contact Information
Glossary of ICP-MS Terms
References
Index
Biography
Robert J. Thomas, GRIC, FRSC is principal of Scientific Solutions, a consulting company based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, that serves the application, training, and technical writing needs of the trace element analysis user community. He has worked in the field of atomic spectroscopy (AS) for almost 40 years, with over 20 years’ experience in ICP-MS applications, product development, and sales and marketing support at Perkin Elmer Instruments, Inc. He has written more than 80 technical publications covering a wide variety of atomic spectroscopic subject matter, from the fundamental principles of the technique, to articles solving real-world application problems with AA, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS analytical instrumentation.
Praise for the First Edition
"Any new user of ICP-MS or anyone contemplating entering the field will find the Practical Guide to ICP-MS an essential first step. This book demystifies ICP-MS and shows readers just how accessible a technique it really is. … [It] is written clearly and is well organized. … As a practitioner of ICP-MS for more than 20 years, I highly recommend this book as a primer to students, new users, laboratory managers, and users of ICP-MS data. The price of the book is well worth investing for Chapter 20 alone, which deals with the selection criteria for instrument purchase. More-experienced users and teachers will find that this book is a useful source of information on the current state of ICP-MS and its place in analytical atomic spectrometry."
—Spectroscopy Magazine
"This book will be particularly useful to students and analytical chemists who are about to use an ICP-MS, and also those in management who might have a basic understanding of atomic spectroscopic techniques but not necessarily ICP-MS. … [The author] hoped the book might find a place on the analyst's desk or by the instrument and would be well used. Indeed, this is where my copy will probably be found."
—The Analyst
"… a valuable introduction to the subject for anyone interested in ICP-MS. … [a] highly informative book … . "
—Today's Chemist at Work
"…[this book] highlights everything from basic component descriptions and features to guidelines describing where and when…ICP-MS is most appropriately employed….I look forward to seeing this book used in many training programs, classrooms, and analysis laboratories."
—Ramon M. Barnes, Director, University Research Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst