Influence of citric acid as chemical modifier for lead determination in dietary calcium supplement samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Citric acid was used as a chemical modifier for Pb determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry in dietary supplement samples (calcium carbonate, dolomite and oyster shell samples) and its efficiency was compared to the use of palladium. Pyrolysis and atomization curves were established without use of chemical modifier, with the addition of 20, 100 and 200 μg of citric acid, and with 3 μg of palladium. The citric acid modifier made possible the interference-free Pb determination in the presence of high concentrations of Ca and Mg nitrates. Acid sample digestion involving closed vessels (microwave-assisted and conventional heating) and acid attack using polypropylene vessels at room temperature were compared. All digestion procedures presented similar results for calcium carbonate and dolomite samples. However, for oyster shell samples accurate results were obtained only with the use of closed vessel systems. Analyte addition and matrix-matched standards were used for calibration. The characteristic mass for Pb using citric acid and palladium were 16 and 25 pg, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was always less than 5% when citric acid was used. The relative and absolute limits of detection were 0.02 μg g^− 1 and 8 pg with citric acid and 0.1 μg g^− 1 and 44 pg with the Pd modifier, respectively (n = 10, 3σ). The recovery of Pb in spiked calcium supplement samples (10 μg l^− 1) was between 98% and 105%. With the use of 100 μg of citric acid as chemical modifier, problems such as high background absorption and high RSD values were minimized in comparison to the addition of 3 μg of palladium.     

Bovine liver sample preparation and micro-homogeneity study for Cu and Zn determination by solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

This work describes a systematic study for the bovine liver sample preparation for Cu and Zn determination by solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The main parameters investigated were sample drying, grinding process, particle size, sample size, microsample homogeneity, and their relationship with the precision and accuracy of the method. A bovine liver sample was prepared using different drying procedures: (1) freeze drying, and (2) drying in a household microwave oven followed by drying in a stove at 60 °C until constant mass. Ball and cryogenic mills were used for grinding. Less sensitive wavelengths for Cu (216.5 nm) and Zn (307.6 nm), and Zeeman-based three-field background correction for Cu were used to diminish the sensitivities. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures adopted were 1000 °C and 2300 °C for Cu, and 700 °C and 1700 °C for Zn, respectively. For both elements, it was possible to calibrate the spectrometer with aqueous solutions. The use of 250 μg of W + 200 μg of Rh as permanent chemical modifier was imperative for Zn. Under these conditions, the characteristic mass and detection limit were 1.4 ng and 1.6 ng for Cu, and 2.8 ng and 1.3 ng for Zn, respectively. The results showed good agreement (95% confidence level) for homogeneity of the entire material (> 200 mg) when the sample was dried in microwave/stove and ground in a cryogenic mill. The microsample homogeneity study showed that Zn is more dependent on the sample pretreatment than Cu. The bovine liver sample prepared in microwave/stove and ground in a cryogenic mill presented results with the lowest relative standard deviation for Cu than Zn. Good accuracy and precision were observed for bovine liver masses higher than 40 μg for Cu and 30 μg for Zn. The concentrations of Cu and Zn in the prepared bovine liver sample were 223 mg kg^− 1 and 128 mg kg^− 1, respectively. The relative standard deviations were lower than 6% (n = 5). The accuracy of the entire procedure was checked with bovine liver from NIST (1577b) and determination of Cu and Zn using flame atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave-assisted sample digestion.     

Synthesis and characterization of CaBi4Ti4O15 thin films annealed by microwave and conventional furnaces

CaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ thin films were deposited by the polymeric precursor method and crystallized in a domestic microwave oven and conventional furnace. The films obtained for microwave energy are well-adhered, homogeneous and with good specularity when treated at 700 ^°C for 10 min. The microstructure and the structure of the films can be tuned by adjusting the crystallization conditions. When microwave oven is employed, the films presented bigger grains with mean grain size around 80 nm. For comparison, films were also prepared by the conventional furnace at 700 °C for 2 h.     

Internal standardization in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry: Comparative use of As and Ge to minimize matrix effects on Se determination in milk

Arsenic and germanium have been evaluated as internal standards to minimize matrix effects on the direct determination of selenium in milk by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) using tubes with integrated platform, pre-treated with W together with Pd as chemical modifier. The efficiency of As and Ge as internal standards for 25 μg L^− 1 Se plus 500 μg L^− 1 As or Ge in diluted (1 + 9 v/v) milk plus 1.0% (v/v) HNO₃ was evaluated by means of correlation graphs plotted from the normalized absorbance signals (n = 20) of internal standard (axis y) versus analyte (axis x). The equations that describe the linear regression were: A^As = − 0.004 ± 0.019 + 1.02 ± 0.019 A^Se (r = 0.9967 ± 0.005); A^Ge = − 0.017 ± 0.015 + 1.01 ± 0.015 A^Se (r = 0.9978 ± 0.004). Samples and reference solutions were automatically spiked with 500 μg L^− 1 Ge or As and 1.0% (v/v) HNO₃ by the autosampler. For 20 μL of aqueous standard solutions, analytical curves in the 5.00–40.0 μg L^− 1 Se range were established using the ratio of Se absorbance to internal standard absorbance (A^Se / A^IS) versus analyte concentration, and good linear correlations were obtained. The characteristic mass was 40 pg Se. Limits of detection were 0.55 and 0.40 μg L^− 1 with As and Ge as the internal standard, respectively. Relative standard deviations (RSD) for a sample containing 25 μg L^− 1 Se were 1.2% and 1.0% (n = 12) using As and Ge, respectively. The RSD without internal standardization was about 6%. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by an addition-recovery experiment and all recovered values were in the 99–105% range with IS and in the 70–80% range without IS. Using Ge as the internal standard, results of analysis of standard reference materials were in agreement with certified values at a 95% confidence level. The selenium concentration for 10 analyzed milk samples varied from 5.0 to 20 μg L^− 1.     

Determination of rare earth elements in human hair and wheat flour reference materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with dry ashing and microwave digestion

A method was developed for the determination of all rare earth elements (REEs) at sub ng g⁻¹ levels in human hair (GBW 09101, SRM, Republic of China) and wheat flour (GBW 08503, SRM, Republic of China) by Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The values obtained by dry ashing and microwave oven digestion procedures were compared with those obtained by traditional open vessel acid digestion method. The validity of the analytical procedure was examined by analyzing spiked samples and two vegetables (GBW 07603 and GBW 07605, SRMs, Republic of China). The results are satisfactory. The detection limits for 14 REEs ranged from 0.0039 to 0.0003 ng cm⁻³ in solution and the quantification limits ranged from 0.16 to 0.01 ng g⁻¹ in solid sample. The precision for most REEs were less than 10% RSD.     

Green Synthesis of Some Calix[4]Resorcinarene Under Microwave Irradiation

A green synthetic procedure for the preparation of some calix[4]resorcinarenes using a household microwave oven has been carried out. This method represents a very rapid heating alternative to the conventional method that involves very long time of reactions (from 20-24 h in conventional heating to 5-8 min in microwave irradiation). C-4-hydroxy–3-methoxycalix[4]resorcinarene (CHMPCR), C-4-methoxyphenylcalix[4]resorcinarene (CMPCR) and C-2–phenylethenilcalix[4]resorcinarene (CPECR) was achieved by placed of resorcinol, an aldehyde, HCl and ethanol inside a household microwave oven. The product was recrystallized by methanol and analyzed by spectral analysis (FTIR, H-NMR and MS). Optimization of reaction was carried out in variation of microwave power, reaction times and reactant composition. The result shows that optimum condition of synthesis of C-4-hydroxy-3–methoxycalix[4]resorcinarene (CHMPCR) with microwave irradiation were at microwave power 332 W, reaction time 8 min and the mole ratio of resorcinol and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylbenzaldehyde 1:1. This parameter gave product in 97.8% (53.7% after recrystallization). The CPECR synthesis using resorcinol and cynnamaldehyde (1:1) at microwave power 332 W for 5 min afforded the product in 97.3% (44.5% after recrystallization). Whereas the reaction of resorcinol and 4-methoxyphenylbenzaldehyde (1:1.2) at microwave power 264 W for 5 min gave CMPCR in 99.5% (68.6% after recrystallization).     

Microwave-assisted C–H bond activation using a commercial microwave oven for rapid deuterium exchange labeling (C–H → C–D) in carbohydrates

Studies have shown that facile hydrogen → deuterium exchange in two model carbohydrates via stereospecific C–H bond activation could be achieved using a pre-sonicated Raney Nickel^® catalyst and microwave irradiation. Using a simple commercial microwave oven and a silica-gel bath, monosaccharide and disaccharide samples underwent isotopic exchange using microwave irradiation for sequential 15 s intervals. The influence of chilling between irradiation intervals was examined. The results revealed increasing levels of ²H incorporation without either epimerization or concomitant decomposition seen earlier in non-optimized experiments.     

Evaluation of four sample treatments for determination of platinum in automotive catalytic converters by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Conventional and microwave assisted digestion, both using aqua regia, alkaline fusion with lithium metaborate and aqueous slurries were evaluated as sample treatments for determination of Pt in automotive catalytic converters by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS). Determination of platinum by GF-AAS in samples of the catalytic converter's substrates, prepared by the four methods described, indicates that the highest platinum concentration i.e. maximum Pt extraction in the range of 748 ± 15–998 ± 10 μg mL^− 1, is obtained for samples dissolved by alkaline fusion, closely followed by analysis of aqueous plus Triton X-100 slurries 708 ± 14–958 ± 10 μg mL^− 1, while neither one of the acid digestion procedures achieved total dissolution of the samples. Slurry analysis is thus shown to be a viable alternative and is recommended, based on its speed and ease of implementation. Aqueous standards calibration curves and the standard addition methods were also compared. The results showed that no appreciable matrix effects are present, regardless of the sample preparation procedure used. Precision of the measurements, expressed as percentage relative standard deviation, ranged between 2.5 to 4.9%. Accuracy of the results was assessed by recovery tests which rendered values between 98.9 and 100.9%.     

Continuous flow hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination and speciation of arsenic in wine

Methods for the atomic fluorescence spectrometric (AFS) determination of total arsenic and arsenic species in wines based on continuous flow hydride generation (HG) with atomization in miniature diffusion flame (MDF) are described. For hydride-forming arsenic, l-cysteine is used as reagent for pre-reduction and complexation of arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonate and dimethylarsinate. Concentrations of hydrochloric acid and tetrahydroborate are optimized in order to minimize interference by ethanol. Procedure permits determination of the sum of these four species in 5–10-fold diluted samples with limit of detection (LOD) 0.3 and 0.6 μg l^− 1 As in white and red wines, respectively, with precision between 2% and 8% RSD at As levels within 0.5–10 μg l^− 1.Selective arsine generation from different reaction media is used for non-chromatographic determination of arsenic species in wines: citrate buffer at pH 5.1 for As(III); 0.2 mol l^− 1 acetic acid for arsenite + dimethylarsinate (DMA); 8 mol l^− 1 HCl for total inorganic arsenic [As(III) + As(V)]; and monomethylarsonate (MMA) calculated by difference. Calibration with aqueous and ethanol-matched standard solutions of As(III) is used for 10- and 5-fold diluted samples, respectively. The LODs are 0.4 μg l^− 1 for As(III) and 0.3 μg l^− 1 for the other three As species and precision is within 4–8% RSDs.Arsenic species in wine were also determined by coupling of ion chromatographic separation on an anion exchange column and HG-flame AFS detection. Methods were validated by means of recovery studies and comparative analyses by HG-AFS and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion. The LODs were 0.12, 0.27, 0.15 and 0.13 μg l^− 1 (as As) and RSDs were 2–6%, 5–9%, 3–7% and 2–5% for As(III), As(V), MMA and DMA arsenic species, respectively. Bottled red and white wines from Bulgaria, Republic of Macedonia and Italy were analyzed by non-chromatographic and chromatographic procedures and the As(III), arsenite, has been confirmed as major arsenic species.     

Environmental remediation by an integrated microwave/UV illumination technique: VI. A simple modified domestic microwave oven integrating an electrodeless UV-Vis lamp to photodegrade environmental pollutants in aqueous media

A simple device is described based on a modified domestic microwave oven that incorporates an UV-Vis lamp encased in Teflon to photodegrade environmental pollutants in aqueous media. The performance of this device was examined using the photodegradation of the agrochemical pollutant 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as the test process driven by a coupled photocatalytic/microwave method in an aqueous TiO₂ dispersion. The aqueous dispersion was contained in a high-pressure Teflon batch (TB) reactor that also integrated a double glass cylindrical plasma lamp (DGCPL) as the source of the UV-Vis radiation. This DGCPL lamp contained mercury gas with a minute amount of neon gas and was powered solely by microwave radiation. The coupled microwave-UV-Vis irradiation of the TB-DGCPL reactor led to an enhancement of the decomposition of the 2,4-D target substrate in the modified microwave oven relative to the photocatalytic method alone. Specifically, the rates of degradation were 2×10⁻³ mM min⁻¹ (photocatalytic/microwave method (PD/MW)) and 1.1×10⁻³ mM min⁻¹ (photocatalytic method (PD)) even though the light irradiance was some six-fold greater in the latter method. That is, the coupled PD/MW method was about 10 times more efficient than the PD method alone.     

Simple mercury fractionation in biological samples by CV AAS following microwave-assisted acid digestion or TMAH pre-treatment

A simple and reliable method to determine total and inorganic mercury in biological certified reference material (CRM) by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV AAS) is proposed. After the CRM treatment at room temperature with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), inorganic mercury is determined by CV AAS. Total mercury is measured by the same technique, after sample acid digestion in a microwave oven. Organic mercury, basically methylmercury, is obtained by difference. In both procedures, the quartz tube is kept at room temperature. By means of analysis of the following reference materials: pig kidney, lobster hepatopancreas, dogfish liver and mussel tissue, it was clear that the difference between the total and inorganic mercury concentrations agrees with the methylmercury concentration. Only one calibration curve against aqueous standards in acidic medium was carried out for both procedures. The concentrations obtained by both procedures are in agreement with the certified values according to the t-test at a 95% confidence level. The relative standard deviations were lower than 3.0% for digested CRM and 6.0% for CRM treated with TMAH for most of the samples. The limits of detection in the samples were 0.02 µg g^− 1 and 0.04 µg g^− 1 for inorganic and total Hg, respectively, since the sample mass for total mercury was half of that for inorganic mercury determination. Simplicity and high efficiency without using chromatographic techniques are some of the qualities of the proposed method, being adequate for fractionation analysis of mercury in biological samples.     

Evaluation of tungsten–rhodium coating on an integrated platform as a permanent chemical modifier for cadmium,lead, and selenium determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A tungsten–rhodium coating on the integrated platform of a transversely heated graphite atomizer is proposed as a permanent chemical modifier for the determination of Cd, Pb, and Se by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. It was demonstrated that coating with 250 μg W+200 μg Rh is as efficient as the conventional Mg(NO₃)₂+NH₄H₂PO₄ or Pd+Mg(NO₃)₂ modifiers for avoiding most serious interferences. The permanent W–Rh modifier remains stable for 300–350 firings of the furnace, and increases tube lifetime by 50%–100% when compared to pyrolytic carbon integrated platforms. Also, there is less degradation of sensitivity during the atomizer lifetime when compared with the conventional modifiers, resulting in a decreased need of re-calibration during routine analysis. The characteristic masses and detection limits achieved using the permanent modifier were respectively: Cd 1.1±0.4 pg and 0.020 μgL⁻¹; Pb 30±3 pg and 0.58 μgL⁻¹ and Se 42±5 pg and 0.64μgL⁻¹. Results from the determination of these elements in water reference materials were in agreement with the certified values, since no statistical differences were found by the paired t-test at the 95% level.     

Determination of Cr(VI) in plants by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after leaching with sodium carbonate

The determination of chromium (VI) compounds in plants by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS) is proposed based on their leaching with 0.1 M Na₂CO₃. Due to the presence of relatively high amounts of Na₂CO₃ in the resulting samples, the temperature and time of pyrolysis and atomization stages must be optimized to minimize the influence of the matrix. A limit of detection (LOD) for determination of Cr(VI) in plants by ET AAS was found to be 0.024 μg g⁻¹.The concentration of Cr(VI) and total chromium in plants collected in different geographical areas (South Africa and Russia), grown on soils high in chromium was determined. The concentration of Cr(VI) and total Cr in stems and leaves of plants was in the range of 0.04–0.7 μg g⁻¹ and 0.5–10 μg g⁻¹, respectively. The limited uptake of Cr(III) by plants, in comparison to its concentration in soil, can be explained by the very low solubility of natural Cr(III) compounds.Results for the determination of Cr(VI) were confirmed by the analysis of BCR CRM 545 (Cr(VI) in welding dust) with good agreement between certified (39.5 ± 1.3 μg mg⁻¹) and found (38.8 ± 1.2 μg mg⁻¹) values. The total concentration of Cr in plants has also been determined by ET AAS after dry ashing of samples at 650 °C. Results were confirmed by the analysis of BCR CRM 281 (Trace elements in Rye Grass) with good agreement between the found (2.12 ± 0.16 μg g⁻¹) and certified value (2.14 ± 0.12 μg g⁻¹).     

Electrothermal vaporization coupled with inductively coupled plasma array–detector mass spectrometry for the multielement analysis of Al2O3 ceramic powders

An electrothermal vaporization (ETV) system useful for the analysis of solutions and slurries has been coupled with a sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP–MS) equipped with an array detector. The ability of this instrument to record the transient signals produced for a number of analytes in ETV–ICP–MS is demonstrated. Detection limits for Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Ga are in the range of 4–60 pg μL^− 1 for aqueous solutions and in the low μg g^− 1 range for the analysis of 10 mg mL^− 1 slurries of Al₂O₃ powders. The dynamic ranges measured for Fe, Cu and Ga spanned 3–5 orders of magnitude when the detector was operated in the low-gain mode and appear to be limited by the ETV system. Trace amounts of Fe, Cu and Ga could be directly determined in Al₂O₃ powders at the 2–270 μg g^− 1 level without the use of thermochemical reagents. The results well agree with literature values for Fe and Cu, whereas deviations of 50% at the 90 μg g^− 1 level for Ga were found.     

Investigation of the efficiency of the sample pretreatment stage for the determination of the Rare Earth Elements in rock samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique

Different methods of rock sample digestion for final analysis by ICP-MS technique are investigated. It is shown that only basic rocks can be quantitatively digested in a microwave (MW) field with the mixture of HF and HNO₃ acids at 210 °C for 60 min. The addition of HCl and H₃BO₃ provides complete digestion of andesites and some types of granites. Even at maximal temperature in the used MW oven of 210 °C syenites, granodiorites and albitized granites are not digested. These types of rocks are not digested in a closed Teflon autoclave for 16 h and can be digested only by fusion with lithium metaborate. The reason for such behavior is discussed. To avoid problems with the introduction of heavily acidic solutions after fusion in ICP the solutions were diluted. To compensate the loss of sensitivity due to the dilution step the REEs (Rare Earth Elements) pre-concentration using aminocarboxylic Pol-DETATA (diethyltriaminetetraacetate) sorbent was tested. The developed scheme is validated by the analysis of a wide range of reference rock materials.     

Development of an accurate procedure for the determination of arsenic in fish tissues of marine origin by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

High accuracy procedures for the determination of arsenic are needed for assigning reference values to certified reference materials (CRMs). There are a number of problems associated with the determination of total arsenic by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Arsenobetaine (AsB) (the major species in fish) gives an enhanced response (9%) when compared to inorganic arsenic(V) and is very difficult to decompose. Chloride causes interference at m/z 75 by the formation of ArCl⁺ and chloride levels can be significant in marine fish. Also residual carbon in digests can lead to enhancement of arsenic signals by charge transfer effects. This can easily lead to erroneous quantification when compared to standards that do not contain carbon.This newly developed procedure overcomes these issues by complete mineralisation of the matrix leaving insignificant amounts of residual carbon and by removal of chlorine by evaporation. A detection limit of 30 ng/g was achieved. Recoveries for the following CRMs: DORM 2 100.1 ± 4.3%, SRM1548 96.1 ± 4.6%, BCR 422 103.6 ± 6.2% and SRM2976 105.9 ± 6.2% were obtained. The digestion procedure uses open vessel wet digestion with a mixture of sulfuric and nitric acid held at 300 °C. The decomposition of AsB was confirmed by speciation analysis of the digest. Carbon (m/z 13) was monitored to demonstrate the efficiency of the digestion. Instrumentation for the reduction of ArCl⁺ interference was not required and this view is supported by the recovery data. Measurements were performed by external calibration using tellurium as an internal standard.     

Microwave-radiated synthesis of gold nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes composites and its application to voltammetric detection of trace mercury(II)

Gold nanoparticles/carbon nanotubes (Au-NPs/CNTs) composites were rapidly synthesized by microwave radiation, and firstly applied for the determination of trace mercury(II) by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). The structure and composition of the synthesized Au-NPs/CNTs nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV–vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Au-NPs/CNTs nanocomposites modified glassy carbon electrode (Au-NPs/CNTs/GCE) exhibited excellent performance for Hg(II) analysis. A wide linear range (5 × 10⁻¹⁰–1.25 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L) and good repeatability (relative standard deviation of 1.84%) were obtained for Hg(II) detection. The limit of detection was found to be 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol/L (0.06 μg/L) at 2 min accumulation, while the World Health Organization’s guideline value of mercury for drinking water is 1 μg/L, suggesting the proposed method may have practical utility.     

An investigation of the effect of microwave treatment on the structure and unfolding pathways of β-lactoglobulin using FTIR spectroscopy with the application of two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS)

Microwave treatment of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) in D₂O solution under various conditions was monitored by Fourier transform mid infrared (mid-FTIR) spectroscopy. At sub-ambient temperatures, no microwave-induced changes in the conformation of the protein were detected. Microwave heating of the β-Lg solutions to temperatures in the range of 40–60 °C resulted in a marked increase in the rate of hydrogen–deuterium (H–D) exchange as compared to conventional heating at the same temperature. At heating temperatures in the range of 70–90 °C, the microwave-heated solutions exhibited more extensive protein aggregation than conventionally heated solutions. Application of two-dimensional (2D) correlation analysis to the Fourier self-deconvolved FTIR spectra recorded as a function of number of cycles of microwave or conventional heating revealed that the unfolding pathway of β-Lg was different in these two temperature ranges (40–60 °C versus 70–90 °C) but was similar in both microwave – treated and conventionally heated samples. Nevertheless, within the temperature range of 70–90 °C microwave treatment accelerated the unfolding of β-lactoglobulin.     

Microwave-assisted photo-Fenton decomposition of chlorfenvinphos and cypermethrin in residual water

The coupling of microwave radiation with photo-Fenton reaction for wastewater treatment was evaluated. This strategy was performed in a focused microwave digestion oven with open vessels. Ultraviolet radiation was obtained from microwave lamps (MWL) activated by microwave radiation. The operational conditions were established considering the extent of degradation of chlorfenviphos and cypermethrin used for bovine ticks (Boophilus michoplus) control. The results were based on residual carbon content, always comparing the procedures in the presence or absence of UV radiation. The combination of MWL and Fenton reaction degraded pesticide residues efficiently (>98%) in about 4 min.     

Ti in dilute slurries of TiO2 nanoparticles by in-torch vaporization sector field inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry☆

A Re coil-filament in-torch vaporization (ITV) sample introduction system was interfaced to a sector field inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SFICP-MS) system. In this first report on an un-optimized ITV-SF-ICP-MS system, detection limits were established using 5 μL volumes of 100 pg mL^− 1 standard solutions, translating to 0.5 pg absolute. Such absolute amounts of a dried solution are near or below the detection limit of many ICP-based techniques. The absolute detection limits for Cd, Eu, Pb, Ti, U and Zn were in the 0.2–2 fg range (or, in the 10's of millions to millions of atoms for Pb, Cd, Zn and Ti, about one million atoms for U and about 800 thousand for Eu). These absolute detection limits along with the ability of ITV to handle minute amounts of discrete samples (thus eliminating memory effects from nanoparticles adhering to the walls of pneumatic nebulization sample introduction systems and from clogging of the mass spectrometer orifice), use of sonicated water-based slurries (that eliminated contamination from acid digestion reagents or from slurry stabilization reagents), and elimination of oxygen containing molecular ion interferences due to use of dry samples enabled concentration determinations of Ti (and consequently of TiO₂) in pg mL^− 1 concentrations of slurries of manufactured, 20 nm diameter TiO₂ nanoparticles.