Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: Principles and Applications

Abstract

The application of laser ablation inductively plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) to the determination of major, minor, and trace elements as well as isotope‐ratio measurements offers superior technology for direct solid sampling in analytical chemistry. The advantages of LA‐ICP‐MS include direct analysis of solids; no chemical dissolution is necessary, reduced risk of contamination, analysis of small sample mass, and determination of spatial distributions of elemental compositions. This review aims to summarize recent research to apply LA‐ICP‐MS, primarily in the field of environmental chemistry. Experimental systems, fractionation, calibration procedures, figures of merit, and new applications are discussed. Selected applications highlighting LA‐ICP‐MS are presented.     

Application of Gas Chromatography–Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry Hyphenated System for Speciation of Butyltin Compounds in Water Samples

ABSTRACT

A laboratory-established capillary gas chromatography (GC)–atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) hyphenated system was applied to butyltin speciation in water samples. Monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and tributyltin (TBT) were extracted and preconcentrated with headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique after derivatization using KBH₄, and then determined by GC-AFS directly. The experimental conditions—including the flow rates of carrier gas, argon and hydrogen–and the lamp current—were optimized in detail. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limits for MBT, DBT, and TBT, calculated as three times the baseline noise, were 10, 0.2, and 0.1 ng mL^?1 Sn, respectively. Good linear relationships were obtained when the concentrations of MBT, DBT, and TBT increased to 3000, 100, and 200 ng mL^?1 Sn. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of five replicates were 5.2%, 7.4%, and 7.1% for MBT, DBT, and TBT, respectively. The recoveries of MBT, DBT, and TBT in three different types of water samples (seawater, tap water, and wastewater) were between 72.1% and 97.9%, indicating that the proposed method was accurate and feasible for speciation analysis of butyltin compounds in water samples.     

Thermal Lens Spectrometric Detection in Flow Injection Analysis and Separation Techniques

Abstract

Recent applications of thermal lens spectrometry in liquid chromatography (HPLC, ion chromatography), capillary electrophoresis, and flow injection analysis are reviewed. Possible effects of performing TLS measurements in flows are discussed initially for different TLS configurations. The emphasis is given to the analysis of real samples, and the performances of various detection schemes in combination with chromatographic techniques and FIA are discussed particularly in terms of sensitivity, sample throughput, and eventual interferences from complex matrices. Coaxial TLS detection with continuous wave excitation is most suitable for detection in HPLC, ion chromatography, and FIA using long‐path length cells, when large volume samples are available. On the other hand, transverse or crossed beam TLS was found most suitable for detection in CE where it provides low absolute LODs, which are lowered even further by thermal lens microscopy on microchips, where the capability of detecting a single molecule in the detection volume was demonstrated.     

Mass Spectrometry Coupled to Thermogravimetry (TG-MS) for Evolved Gas Characterization: A Review.

INTRODUCTION

Combining thermal analysis (TA) with gas-analykal techniques significantly enhances the possibilities for correctly interpreting the mechanism of thermally induced reactions, which involve the formation of gaseous species. Several techniques can be used for evolved gas analysis (EGA), ranging from simple, non-specific detection to the more elaborate multidimensional/multifunctional methods, such as gas chromatography (GC), infrared spectroscopy (IR) or mass spectrometry (MS), for gas detection and analysis [1]. While the GC methods were used as early as the 1960s [2], EGA by FTIR was described much later and was used for the analysis of pyrolytic and combustion products. Presently, there are several commercial FTIR systems available that can be coupled to a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and a broad range of applications have been investigated by this important hyphenated technique [3].     

Interfacing Microfluidic Handling with Spectroscopic Detection for Real‐Life Applications via the Lab‐on‐Valve Platform: A Review

Abstract

One of the current needs within the analytical spectrometric community is the development of straightforward and cost‐effective, yet rugged, sample processing procedures aimed at precluding both spectroscopic and nonspectroscopic matrix interferences while fostering concomitant sample enrichment. Illustrated via selected representative examples, this review presents and discusses the current state of the art in implementing miniaturised and automated sample treatments for environmental and biochemical assays via microfluidic systems exploiting the lab‐on‐valve (LOV) platform in hyphenation with syringe pump propelling devices as a front end to a plethora of spectroscopic detection schemes including ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectrometry, spectrofluorimetry, chemiluminescence, atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), atomic flourescence spectrometry (AFS), and inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry/mass spectrometry (ICP‐AES/MS). In contrast to lab‐on‐a‐chip units, the versatile configuration of the micromachined LOV readily facilitates the implementation of on‐line unit operations at will encompassing not merely the introduction of minute, well‐defined volumes of sample followed by chemical derivatization, but the potential for accommodation of solid‐phase extraction, hydride/vapor generation, precipitation/coprecipitation, and bead injection protocols with no need for chip redesign.     

硒的化学与生物形态分析综述

硒是人体必需的微量元素，其特殊的生理，生化功能不仅取决于硒的总浓度水平，而且同不同化学生物形态下硒的存在密切相关，硒的分析研究在生命科学、环境科学、医药科学等领域日益活跃。本文就近年来在硒分析方面发表的有关文献，从样品的采集条件，储存条件，消解过程，总量测定，特别是应用各种联用技术进行硒化物形态分析等诸方面，作出较系统全面的综述。     

电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱/质谱法在中药微量元素及形态分析中的应用

本文对近年来电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法（ICP－AES）和电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP－MS）在中药微量元素及形态分析中的应用进行了评述，讨论了应用ICP－AES／MS技术测定中药微量元素样品处理和各种分析方法，引用文献58篇。微波消解可作为中药微量元素分析理想的样品处理方法；ICP－AES／MS及各种联用技术在中药微量元素含量及形态分析中将发挥越来越重要的作用。     

联用技术应用于生物分子中金属和类金属的形态分析

本文依据最近有关联用技术应用于生物样品中痕量金属和类金属形态分析的报道,扼要介绍高效液相色谱（HPLC）和毛细管电泳（CE）与电感耦合等离子质谱（ICP－MS）和电喷雾离子化质谱（ESI－MS）联用技术在砷、硒和镉等元素的形态分析中的应用。体积排阻色谱（SEC）与ICP－MS在线联用最常用的初步筛选未知试样中大分子化合物的方法。但由于SEC的分辨率差,需要应用另一种色谱法,如离子交换色谱法（IEC）或反相色谱法（RP－HPLC）分离以保证分离信号的纯度。在无标准可利用的情况下,电喷雾串联质谱（ES－MS／MS）是用以表征化合物的最佳手段。毛细管区带电泳（CZE）与ICP－MS联用是形态分析的有用工具。分析中需要注意的问题是避免沾污和防止在分离过程中蛋白质的分解。目前,由于缺少标准和参考物质,联用技术主要应用于寻找新的金属物 种,而并非测定已知化合物。需要解决的难题是检测的信号是否属于某一特定的化合物以及该化合物的表征。     

Slurry Nebulization in Plasmas for Analysis of Inorganic Materials

Abstract

This review summarizes and discusses the preparation of slurries for analysis of inorganic materials by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Details about the grinding step for slurry preparation, the stabilization of slurries, and the calibration strategies are critically discussed. Typical applications described in the literature and the state‐of‐the‐art including advantages and limitations of slurry analysis are presented.     

Determination of Non-metals by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Inductively Coupled Plasma Detection

Abstract

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has often been employed in the separation and speciation of metal containing compounds. One of the most sensitive devices used for detecting those compounds after the separation is the inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The similar flow rates for these two techniques render the coupling of the devices trivial, usually involving only a short length of capillary tubing. Upon entering the plasma, species are typically determined either via atomic emission spectrometry or mass spectrometry. HPLC-ICP devices have been employed less frequently for the determination of non-metals. This review will describe the applications of HPLC-ICP techniques to the determination of compounds containing carbon, sulfur, phosphorus, and the halogens. The instrumentation used for each application will be described, and the performance of the systems will be summarized.     

Application of Multivariate Techniques in Optimization of Spectroanalytical Methods

Abstract

The present article describes fundamentals and applications of multivariate techniques used for the optimization of analytical procedures and systems involving spectroanalytical methods such as flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), considering the main steps of a chemical analysis. This way, applications of experimental designs in optimization of sampling systems, digestion procedures, preconcentration procedures, instrumental parameters of quantification steps of analytical methods, and robustness tests have been summarized in this work.     

Plasma Source Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Biological and Environmental Samples: Dealing with Potential Interferences

Introduction

Effectiveness of a plasma to dissociate the sample into ions has been the basis of the development of plasma source optical emission spectrometer (OES) and mass spectrometer (MS) for elemental and isotope analysis. Among the available ways of inducing and sustaining a plasma, only inductively coupled plasma (ICP) has gained commercial application. The ICP is an electrodeless discharge in a gas at atmospheric pressure, maintained by energy coupled to it from a radio frequency generator. This is done by a coupling coil, which functions as the primary of radio frequency transformer, the secondary of which is created by the discharge itself (Jarvis et al., 1992). An ICP-MS system consists of a plasma source (ICP) interfaced with a quadrupole MS. The plasma ionizes the elements of the sample and the MS serves as a detector that measures the mass to charge (m/z) ratio of the element(s) or isotope(s) of interest. Generally an argon (Ar) plasma is used, but other plasma sources have also been proposed (Brown et al., 1988; Satzger et al., 1987).     

Combined high-pressure experimental and kinetic modeling study of cyclopentene pyrolysis and its reactions with acetylene

A combined experimental and kinetic modeling study is presented to improve the understanding of the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from neat cyclopentene and cyclopentene/acetylene mixtures. High-pressure experiments are conducted for the first time over a temperature range covering 930–1650 K using a single-pulse shock tube coupled to gas chromatography/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/GC–MS) techniques. Several updates and inclusions, mainly regarding the reactions involving C₅ molecules and radicals, are made in our on-going PAH kinetic model, which shows satisfactory predictive performances for the speciation measurements obtained in the current work and in the literature. On the basis of the experimental observations and modeling analyses, the reaction pathways active during the pyrolysis of cyclopentene are illustrated and the effects of acetylene addition as co-reactant on the PAH chemistry are assessed. In all of the cases investigated, it is noted that the cyclopentadienyl radical largely participate in the formation of mono-aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene and styrene) and PAHs (indene, naphthalene and phenanthrene).     

Speciation Analysis of Mercury in Aquatic Environment

Abstract

This review considers methods for mercury speciation with low limits of detection that can be applied to real aquatic environmental samples (waters, sediments, biological tissues). Special attention is given to the necessity of clean sampling procedures and the proper storage of the samples. In this review, different extraction techniques for sediments and biological tissues are considered. The performance of different separation techniques, like liquid chromatography and off‐line and on‐line gas chromatography, are compared for their environmental applications.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) on silver colloids for the identification of ancient textile dyes. Part II: pomegranate and sumac

The effectiveness of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) spectrocsopy on Ag colloids has been successfully demonstrated for the identification of a yellow dye in two ancient wool threads found in the Royal Tumulus of In Aghelachem, Libyan Sahara, belonging to the Garamantian period (2nd–3rd century A.D.). High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) highlighted the presence of ellagic acid in the extracts from the threads, excluding other chromophores. This result, together with the abundance of malic acid detected by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), suggested the possible use of pomegranate rind or sumac berries as source of the yellow dye, both plants being documented in the Fezzan area during the Garamantian period. HPLC analyses and SERS spectra acquired on the extracts of the ancient threads were therefore compared with those obtained from pomegranate and sumac extracts of the corresponding fruits and reference dyed wool samples, allowing us to identify the yellow dye as deriving from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.). SERS spectra of ellagic acid and dyes extracted from pomegranate rind and sumac berries are reported here for the first time. A methodological improvement is also presented, based on the use of NaClO₄ as aggregating agent, that leads to a significant increase of the signal‐to‐noise ratio in the SERS spectra. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of synchrotron‐radiation‐induced TXRF‐XANES for arsenic speciation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) xylem sap

Synchrotron‐radiation‐induced total reflection x‐ray fluorescence (SR‐TXRF) analysis was used for x‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) measurements for the speciation of arsenic in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) xylem sap. The objective of the presented work was to exploit the advantages of the TXRF geometry for XANES analysis. Measurements were accomplished at the bending magnet beamline L of HASYLAB, Hamburg, Germany, using a Si(111) double crystal monochromator and a silicon drift detector (SDD). Experiments were performed by growing cucumber plants in hydroponics containing arsenite [As(III)] or arsenate [As(V)] in order to identify the arsenic species of the collected xylem saps by K‐edge SR‐TXRF XANES. Cucumber xylem saps, as well as nutrient solutions containing arsenic in the two above‐mentioned species, were analyzed and compared with arsenate and arsenite standard solutions. Arsenic speciation in xylem sap down to 30 ng/ml (30 ppb) was achieved, and no alteration of the oxidation state was observed during the measurements. Analysis of xylem saps showed that As(V) taken up from the nutrient solution was reduced to As(III). As(III) contained in the nutrient solutions was found to be partially oxidized to As(V). These results confirmed the preliminary measurements obtained with flow injection analysis (FIA) and high‐performance liquid chromatography‐high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC‐HR‐ICP‐MS) and showed the competitive capability of SR‐TXRF XANES analysis for this application. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Illuminate Proteins and Peptides by Elemental Tag for HPLC-ICP-MS Detection

Abstract

High-performance liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) is becoming a significant complementary technique of HPLC–molecular mass spectrometry for proteins and peptides quantification. However, the naturally occurring heteroelements inside proteins and peptides, such as sulfur, phosphor, and selenium, are not sensitive enough in ICP-MS for low-abundance proteins and peptides, due to their low ionization efficiency or polyatomic spectral interference. In order to make the low-abundance proteins and peptides “visible” by HPLC-ICP-MS, a foreign elemental tag can be employed. The foreign elemental tags are highly sensitive in ICP-MS and almost absent in common biological matrices, which leads to significantly low limits of detection. This review summarizes the major applications of elemental tags in combination with HPLC-ICP-MS detection. The organic mercury tags, iodine tags, ferrocene tags, and macrocyclic metal chelate complex tags are discussed in detail. The recent development of HPLC-ICP-MS in combination with elemental tags demonstrates the great potential in sensitive and accurate proteins and peptides quantification.     

Electrochemical fluorination of dimethyl glutarate and its characterization

Monofluoro dimethyl glutarate has been successfully synthesized for the first time by electrochemical fluorination. It is done in an undivided polypropylene cell with platinum electrodes. Initially at three different current densities, dimethyl glutarate is subjected to electrofluorination. Maximum yield of monofluoro product is obtained at 15 mA cm⁻². Selecting this current density, electrosynthesis is done at three different charges. Maximum yield of 71.5% of the monofluoro product is obtained with a conversion efficiency of 95.2% when the charge of 6 F/mol is passed. The synthesized product is characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The product purity and composition are ascertained using GC/MS. The attachment of fluorine to methylene group is indicated using FTIR data. From NMR studies, the environment of fluorine in the neighborhood of carbon and hydrogen has been established. Results are discussed in the paper.     

联用技术应用于元素形态分析的新进展

扼要介绍了近年来报道的有关联用技术应用于生物体中硒、砷和镉等化学形态的研究成果。最常用的形态分析技术是高效液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱联用技术(HPLC-ICP-MS)。毛细管电泳-电感耦合等离子体质谱联用技术(CE-ICP-MS)也开始受到重视。由于HPLC-ICP-MS和CE-ICP-MS均不能提供化合物的分子结构信息,因此在缺少标准物的情况下电喷雾离子质谱(ESI-MS)是不可缺少的形态分析工具。ESI-MS被应用于鉴定硒酵母中的硒-腺苷-高半胱氨酸和海藻中一种新的砷糖。反向高效液相色谱(RP-HPLC)与毛细管电泳分离结合ICP-MS和ESI-MS平行检测,已用于表征金属硫蛋白(MTs)中的金属络合物。由于ESI-MS的灵敏度低,且易受试样中基体的干扰,因此分析物在分析前须经多次分离、纯化和富集以保证分析结果的可靠性。     

Molybdenum,Platinum, and Tantalum Metal Atomizers or Vaporizers in Analytical Atomic Spectrometry

Abstract

The application of metal (tantalum, molybdenum, and platinum) devices in analytical atomic spectrometry is reviewed in this article. These metal devices have been employed in various analytical atomic spectrometric techniques for more than three decades, mainly as electrothermal atomizers or electrothermal vaporizers, in various physical shapes, such as tubes, platforms, loops, and wires (or coils/filaments). Their application spans from atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), atomic emission spectrometry (AES) atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES) to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The analytical figures of merit and the practical applications reported for these metal devices are reviewed, and the atomization mechanism on these metal atomizers is briefly summarized, too. In addition, other applications of the metal devices are discussed, including analyte preconcentration by electrodeposition and sequential metal vapor elution analysis (SMVEA). Furthermore, the application of these metals in graphite furnaces encompasses the schemes with the metals in the form of furnace linings, platforms, or impregnated salts.