Size characterization and quantification of silver nanoparticles by asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A method for determining the size of silver nanoparticles and their quantification by asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is proposed and was tested in consumer products. Experimental conditions were studied in detail to avoid aggregation processes or alteration of the original size distributions. Additionally, losses from sorption processes onto the channel membrane were minimized for correct quantification of the nanoparticles. Mobile phase composition, injection/focusing, and fractionation conditions were evaluated in terms of their influence on both separation resolution and recovery. The ionic strength, pH, and the presence of ionic and nonionic surfactants had a strong influence on both separation and recovery of the nanoparticles. In general, better results were obtained under those conditions that favored charge repulsions with the membrane. Recovery values of 83 ± 8% and 93 ± 4% with respect to the content of silver nanoparticles were achieved for the consumer products studied. Silver nanoparticle standards were used for size calibration of the channel. The results were compared with those obtained by photon correlation spectroscopy and images taken by transmission electron microscopy. The quantification of silver nanoparticles was performed by direct injection of ionic silver standard solutions into the ICP-MS system, integration of the corresponding peaks, and interpolation of the fractogram area. A limit of detection of 5.6 μg L^-1 silver, which corresponds to a number concentration of 1×10¹² L^-1 for nanoparticles of 10 nm, was achieved for an injection volume of 20 μL.     

Study of the size-based environmental availability of metals associated to natural organic matter by stable isotope exchange and quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry coupled to asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation

The determination of the isotopically exchangeable fraction of metals in environmental solid samples (soils, composts, sediments, sludges, etc.) is used to know the amount of metal potentially available (E-value). Stable isotopes can be used for determination of E-values through the analysis of the aqueous phases from spiked suspensions. However, the presence of isotopically non-exchangeable metal forms in the aqueous phase led to overestimation of the E-values. In this paper, a method for monitoring the degree of isotopic exchange in function of the molecular mass and/or size of the metal form has been developed based on the direct coupling of asymmetrical flow field flow fractionation (AsFlFFF) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for on-line isotope ratio measurements. ICP-MS data acquisition parameters were stressed to avoid degradation of isotope ratio precision. Two sets of fractionation conditions were selected: a colloids separation, which allowed the separation of substances up to 1 μm, and a macromolecules separation, designed to resolve small size substances up to 50 kDa. The methodology was applied to study the environmental availability of copper and lead in compost samples, where metals are mainly associated to different forms of organic matter. No significant differences on isotopic exchange were observed over the size range studied, validating the E-values determined by direct analysis of the aqueous phases.     

Determination of cobalamins using capillary electrophoresis inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The determination of cobalamins using capillary electrophoresis inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS) was investigated. Both capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) modes of operation were studied. The optimal separation of four cobalamin species (cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, methylcobalamin, and 5′-deoxyadenosylcobalamin) and a potentially harmful corrinoid analogue (cobinamide dicyanide) was obtained using CZE at a pH of 2.5. Both 20 mM phosphate and 20 mM formate buffers were used with success, although the formate buffer provided improved resolution. The CZE-ICP-MS method was used to quantify cyanocobalamin in a vitamin supplement and the analytical results were in good agreement (±5%) with values obtained by ICP-MS for total Co levels. The solution detection limits for cobalamins using CZE-ICP-MS were approximately 50 ng/ml. MEKC was found to be useful for the screening of vitamin preparations because it provided a rapid means of distinguishing cyanocobalamin (the form most commonly used in vitamin preparations) from free cobalt. The separation of free cobalt and cyanocobalamin using MEKC was achieved in less than 10 min.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱技术最新进展

对1998年以来电感耦合等离子体质谱技术（ICP－MS）的最新进展作一简要回顾。内容包括同位素比值分析、双聚焦扇形磁场高分辨ICP－MS、多接收器磁扇形等离子体质谱仪（MC－ICP－MS）、飞行时间等离子体质谱仪（ICP－TOF－MS）、“冷”等离子体及屏蔽炬技术以及动态碰撞／反应池技术等进展。     

Direct analysis of biodiesel microemulsions using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An analytical procedure for direct introduction of biodiesel samples into an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) by using microemulsion for sample preparation was developed here. Cadmium, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti, and Zn were determined in biodiesel microemulsified samples prepared from different oleaginous sources (African palm, castor beans, palm, soybeans and an unknown oleaginous). Microemulsions were prepared using 0.25 mL Triton X-100, 0.25 mL 20% v v^− 1 HNO₃, 0.50 mL biodiesel sample and 4.0 mL n-propanol. Argon-oxygen mixture was added to the plasma as auxiliary gas for correcting matrix effects caused by the high carbon load due to biodiesel microemulsions. The oxygen gas flow rate was set in 37.5 mL min^− 1. The accuracy of the developed procedure was evaluated by applying addition-recovery experiments for biodiesel samples from different sources. Recoveries varied from 76.5 to 116.2% for all analytes but Zn in castor beans biodiesel sample (65.0 to 76.2%). Recoveries lower than 86.6% were obtained for palm biodiesel sample, probably due to matrix effects. Detection limits calculated by using oxygen in the composition of the auxiliary gas added to the plasma were higher than those calculated without using it, probably due to the highest formation of oxides. Despite oxides formation, best analytical performance was reached by using oxygen as auxiliary gas and by proper correction of transport interferences. The developed procedure based on microemulsion formation was suitable for direct introduction of biodiesel samples in ICP-MS.     

双气路校正-固相微萃取电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定四乙基铅

采用自行设计的固相微萃取(solid phase microextraction,SPME)与电感耦合等离子体质谱(inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,ICP-MS)联用的双气路热解析接口单元,建立了SPME-ICP-MS测定金属有机化合物的新方法.双气路热解析接口单元可实现样品在线热解析并与气动雾化的内标溶液气溶胶同步进入等离子体电离.方法线性范围为0.05～100 ng/mL,相对标准偏差1.3%～6.6%(n=5),检出限2pg/mL.所建立的方法用于合成水样中四乙基铅的测定,加标回收率93%～105%.     

Simple in situ analysis of metal halide perovskite-based sensor materials using micro X-ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A new approach to in situ analysis of the composition of photosensitive metal halide perovskite-based materials for gas sensor has been developed. The concentration of Cs, Pb, Br and I in the ZnO layer was determined by in situ micro X-ray fluorescence method using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for calibration. The relationship ‘synthesis conditions–composition–photoresponse’ of the sensor has been established based on the results obtained.     

Differentiation and characterization of isotopically modified silver nanoparticles in aqueous media using asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation coupled to optical detection and mass spectrometry

The principal objective of this work was to develop and demonstrate a new methodology for silver nanoparticle (AgNP) detection and characterization based on asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation (A4F) coupled on-line to multiple detectors and using stable isotopes of Ag. This analytical approach opens the door to address many relevant scientific challenges concerning the transport and fate of nanomaterials in natural systems. We show that A4F must be optimized in order to effectively fractionate AgNPs and larger colloidal Ag particles. With the optimized method one can accurately determine the size, stability and optical properties of AgNPs and their agglomerates under variable conditions. In this investigation, we couple A4F to optical absorbance (UV–vis spectrometer) and scattering detectors (static and dynamic) and to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. With this combination of detection modes it is possible to determine the mass isotopic signature of AgNPs as a function of their size and optical properties, providing specificity necessary for tracing and differentiating labeled AgNPs from their naturally occurring or anthropogenic analogs. The methodology was then applied to standard estuarine sediment by doping the suspension with a known quantity of isotopically enriched ¹⁰⁹AgNPs stabilized by natural organic matter (standard humic and fulvic acids). The mass signature of the isotopically enriched AgNPs was recorded as a function of the measured particle size. We observed that AgNPs interact with different particulate components of the sediment, and also self-associate to form agglomerates in this model estuarine system. This work should have substantial ramifications for research concerning the environmental and biological fate of AgNPs.     

蒸气发生-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定碘

建立了一种在线化学蒸气发生-电感耦合等离子体质谱测定碘的方法。利用碘负离子的还原性,采用氧化还原手段,将碘负离子氧化为碘单质;然后通过碘单质的易挥发特点,将碘蒸气直接导入等离子体。该方法可以提高传输效率,改善样品利用率,使检测灵敏度得到极大的提高。方法的检出限为0.22μg/L,样品加标回收率在87.4%~97.75%之间,RSD(n=11)在3%以内。实验中预先将正5价碘还原成碘负离子,然后加入氧化剂将碘负离子氧化成碘单质进行检测;对碘的形态化学蒸气发生法进行了尝试。     

王水提取-电感耦合等离子体质谱法同时测定地质样品中微量银、镉、铋

样品用水浴加热、王水提取预处理,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法同时测定了土壤、水系沉积物及岩石等地质样品中的痕量Ag、Cd和Bi。在样品预处理阶段,主要干扰元素Zr和Nb只有少量被溶出,而分析元素Ag、Cd和Bi的溶出趋于完全,这样在样品预处理阶段就完成了分析元素与干扰元素的有效分离,减小了多原子离子93Nb16O ,92Zr16OH ,92Mo16OH 对109Ag的干扰和95Mo16O ,94Zr16OH ,94Mo16OH 对111Cd的干扰。方法对实际样品的检出限(10σ,DF=300)Ag,Cd和Bi的质量分数分别为5.1,4.3和10.5ng/g。对不同含量样品7次测定的RSD为8.7%~1.8%。用该方法对土壤、水系沉积物及岩石等国家一级标准物质进行分析,分析数据均在标准推荐值的允许误差范围内。     

Simultaneous sample preconcentration and matrix removal using field-flow fractionation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An on-channel sample preconcentration-matrix removal arrangement, based on coupling field-flow fractionation (FFF) to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), has been constructed for on-line sample pretreatment ICP-MS trace element determination. A commercial FFF system is modified to incorporate an on-channel preconcentration procedure allowing injection of up to 50 ml of sample, which could be preconcentrated by 50–1400 fold. A high molecular weight complexing agent added to the sample forms strong complexes with the measured trace analytes but not with the sample matrix. When the sample-complexing agent mixture is introduced to the FFF unit, the uncomplexed matrix element is removed by permeation through a membrane that separates the FFF sample compartment. The trace analytes remain in the FFF channel, because their high molecular weight complexes do not permeate through the membrane. Preconcentration and matrix elimination occur simultaneously. The matrix-free, preconcentrated sample is introduced directly to the ICP-MS nebulizer. The method was tested using 10-ml sample aliquots that contain As, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Re, Sn, Te, Tl, Y, Zn and Zr analytes and 5000 mg l⁻¹ Ca or Na matrices and ethylene imine polymer complexing agent. Copper and Re isotopic ratio values in reference standards also were determined after preconcentration and matrix element removal.     

Analysis of liquid samples using dried-droplet laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

In this study we developed a dried-droplet method for laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The proposed method provides accurate and precise results when building calibration curves and determining elements of interest in real liquid samples. After placing just 1 μL of a liquid standard solution or a real sample onto the filter surface and then converting the solution into a very small, thin dry spot, the sample could be applied as an analytical subject for LA. To demonstrate the feasibility of this proposed method, we used LA-ICP-MS and conventional ICP-MS to determine the levels of 13 elements (Li, V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Tl, and Pb) in five water samples. The correlation coefficients obtained from the various calibration curves ranged from 0.9920 (²⁰⁵Tl) to 0.9998 (⁵¹V), sufficient to allow the determination of a wide range of elements in the samples. We also investigated the effects of Methylene Blue (MB) and the NaCl concentration on the elemental analyses. MB could be used as an indicator during the ablation process; its presence in the samples only negligibly influenced the intensities of the signals of most of the tested elements. Notably, high NaCl contents led to signal suppression for some of the elements. In comparison with the established sample introduction by nebulization, our developed technique abrogates the need for time-consuming sample preparation and reduces the possibility of sample contamination.     

On-line electrochemically controlled solid-phase extraction interfaced to electrospray and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Electrochemically controlled solid-phase extractions of anions were interfaced on-line to electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), using polypyrrole coated electrodes and a thin-layer electrochemical (EC) flow cell. The results indicate that electrochemically controlled solid-phase extraction (EC-SPE) can be used as a versatile potential controlled sample preparation technique for a range of anions and that the properties of the polypyrrole coatings can be modified by altering the electrodeposition conditions. In the present study, the influence of interfering anions (i.e., fluoride and sulfate), and the anion used during the electropolymerisation, on the bromide extraction recovery was investigated for EC-SPE interfaced to ICP-MS. The results of these experiments show that the interference due to the presence of similar concentrations of sulfate can be reduced when using a polypyrrole coating electropolymerised in the presence of bromide ions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements were also used to study the morphology of the coatings, as well as the variations in the film thickness within the coatings. The effect of different desorption techniques on the bromide preconcentration factor in the ICP-MS on-line flow system was also examined. Stopped-flow desorption was found to give rise to significantly increased preconcentration factors in comparison with desorptions in flowing solutions. While the desorption efficiency depends on the type of desorption electrolyte (the electrolyte in which the desorption takes place), due to the competing influx of cations, the influence of the pH on the switching charge of the polypyrrole coating was found to be small, at constant ionic strength. To study the applicability of the EC-SPE technique with respect to real samples, investigations were also made with tap water samples spiked with different bromide concentrations. The results of these experiments, which were carried out using a modified thin-layer EC flow cell allowing in situ polymerisation of polypyrrole yielding a polymer plug covering the cross section of the channel, demonstrate that 3 microM concentrations of bromide could be detected in the tap water sample. This demonstrates that the extraction technique allows extractions of low concentrations of ions in the presence of significantly higher concentrations of other similar ions. The fact that the extraction and desorption steps are electrochemically controlled makes EC-SPE particularly well suited for inclusion in miniaturised lab-on-a-chip systems.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定镁合金中的多种元素

用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)法测定了镁合金中的Be、Al、Ca、Fe、Mn、Ni、Cu、Zn、Ag、Cd、Sn、La、Ce、Pb14种元素,进行了稳定性实验以及Cu、Zn、Ni、Mg、Al基体实验,考察了共存元素的干扰.镁合金标准物质测定值与参考值符合较好,方法检出限为0.0002～0.3346 μg/g,相对标准偏差RSD＜10%.     

Sequential hydride generation/pneumatic nebulisation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the fractionation of arsenic and selenium species

The toxicity of certain elements is known to be related to their organic substituents and/or oxidation states. As such, total elemental determinations do not always yield sufficient information for accurate risk assessments and therefore speciation or fractionation data are required. In order to obtain fractionation data for trace levels of arsenic and selenium, a novel sequential pneumatic nebulisation (PN)/hydride generation (HG) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method was developed. The method offers the advantage of sample introduction via either PN or HG by simply rotating a 4-way switching valve while the system is in operation. In PN mode, the liquid sample is aspirated into ICP, allowing for the determination of the total amount of each element, whilst in HG mode only the arsenic and selenium species that form volatile hydrides are determined. Conveniently, in the case of arsenic, this allows for differentiation between the four most toxic arsenic species (arsenate, arsenite, monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid), which form volatile hydrides, and the virtually non-toxic forms (arsenobetaine, arsenosugars, etc.), which do not. This allows for the rapid estimation of the amounts of toxic and non-toxic arsenic species present in a sample. For arsenic, the technique gave detection limits of 36 ng l⁻¹ in PN mode and 1 ng l⁻¹ in HG mode. For selenium, detection limits of 150 ng l⁻¹ were achieved in PN mode and 220 ng l⁻¹ in HG mode. The technique also gave good long- and short-term stabilities of under 6% RSD for both elements. A variety of samples, including water and urine standard reference materials, were analysed in both modes, and the precision and accuracy of the results for total arsenic and selenium levels were assessed. Using the technique in both modes also allowed for the fractionation of As and Se species into their volatile hydride-forming and non-hydride-forming species. This was particularly informative, with respect to As species present, in the case of a kelp powder extract. Digested tobacco samples were only analysed for their total As levels, in which case results obtained via both sample introduction modes showed good agreement.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱测定地质样品中多种元素

用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)测定了地质样品中多种元素。考察了测量过程中的基体效应及质谱干扰,利用In内标,补偿由于基体效应的影响所引起的测量偏差,建立校正公式校正质谱干扰。方法的检出限为0.06~250ng/L,精密度为1.7%~3.2%,加标回收率为91%~108%,方法适于批量地质样品分析。     

Determination of vanadium by reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Recent advances in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) have included the addition of interference reduction technologies, such as collision and reaction cells, to improve its detection capability for certain elements that suffer from polyatomic interferences. The principle behind reaction cell (RC)-ICP-MS is to remove a particular polyatomic interference by dissociation or formation of a different polyatomic species that no longer interferes with the analyte of interest. However, some interferences cannot be removed by commonly reported reaction gases, such as hydrogen, oxygen, or methane, necessitating using more reactive and hazardous gases, such as ammonia. The current study investigates oxygen as a reaction gas in RC-ICP-MS to specifically react with vanadium analyte ions, rather than the interferents, to produce a polyatomic analyte species and thereby provide a way to analyze for vanadium in complex environmental matrices. The technique has been tested on a series of river water, tap water, and synthetic laboratory samples, and shown to be successful in vanadium analyses in high chloride and sulfate matrices. The zinc isobaric interference on the new vanadium oxide analyte at m/z 67 is also investigated, and can be corrected by using a standard mathematical correction equation. The results of this study further increase the utility of RC-ICP-MS analytical techniques for complex environmental matrices.     

Rapid multi-element analysis of groundwater by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive method was developed to determine, with a single dilution, the concentration of 33 major and trace elements (Na, Mg, Si, K, Ca, Li, Al, P, S, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Re, Hg, Pb, Bi, U) in groundwater. The method relies on high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR ICP-MS) and works across nine orders of magnitude of concentrations. For most elements, detection limits for this method are considerably lower than methods based on quadrupole ICP-MS. Precision was within or close to ±3% (1) for all elements analyzed, with the exception of Se (±10%) and Al (±6%). The usefulness of the method is demonstrated with a set of 629 groundwater samples collected from tube wells in Bangladesh (Northeast Araiharzar). The results show that a majority of tube well samples in this area exceed the WHO guideline for As of 10 g L^–1, and that those As-safe wells frequently do not meet the guideline for Mn of 500 µg L^–1 and U of 2 µg L^–1.     

Dissolution and nanoparticle generation behavior of Be-associated materials in synthetic lung fluid using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and flow field-flow fractionation

Various Be-containing micro-particle suspensions were equilibrated with simulated lung fluid (SLF) to examine their dissolution behavior as well as the potential generation of nanoparticles. The motivation for this study was to explore the relationship between dissolution/particle generation behaviors of Be-containing materials relevant to Be-ore processing, and their epidemiologically indicated inhalation toxicities. Limited data suggest that BeO is associated with higher rates of beryllium sensitization (BS) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD) relative to the other five relevant materials studied: bertrandite-containing ore, beryl-containing ore, frit (a processing intermediate), Be(OH)₂ (a processing intermediate), and silica (control). These materials were equilibrated with SLF at two pH values (4.5 and 7.2) to reflect inter- and intra-cellular environments in lung tissue. Concentrations of Be, Al, and Si in SLF increased linearly during the first 20 days of equilibration, and then rose slowly, or in some cases reached a maximum, and subsequently decreased. Relative to the other materials, BeO produced relatively low Be concentration in solution at pH 7.2; and relatively high Be concentration in solution at pH 4.5 during the first 20 days of equilibration. For both pH values, however, the Be concentration in SLF normalized to Be content of the material was lowest for BeO, demonstrating that BeO was distinct among the four other Be-containing materials in terms of its persistence as a source of Be to the SLF solution. Following 149 days of equilibration, the SLF solutions were fractionated using flow-field flow fractionation (FlFFF) with detection via ICP-MS. For all materials, nanoparticles (which were formed during equilibration) were dominantly distributed in the 10–100 nm size range. Notably, BeO produced the least nanoparticle-associated Be mass (other than silica) at both pH values. Furthermore, BeO produced the highest Be concentrations in the size range corresponding to < 3 kDa (determined via centrifugal ultrafiltration), indicating that in addition to persistence, the BeO produced the highest concentrations of truly dissolved (potentially ionic) Be relative to the other materials. Mass balance analysis showed reasonable sample recoveries during FFF fractionation (50–100%), whereas recoveries during ICP-MS (relative to acidified standards) were much lower (5–10%), likely due to inefficiencies in nebulizing and ionizing the nanoparticles.     

Determination of long-lived radionuclides in concrete matrix by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A laser ablation system using a Nd:YAG laser was coupled both to a quadrupole inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometer and to a double-focusing sector field ICP mass spectrometer. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was applied for the determination of long-lived radionuclides in a concrete matrix. The investigated samples were two laboratory standards with a concrete matrix, which we doped with different long-lived radionuclides (e.g. ⁹⁹Tc, ²³²Th, ²³³U, ²³⁷Np) from the ng g⁻¹ to μ g⁻¹ concentration range and an undoped concrete material (blank). Detection limits for long-lived radionuclides in the 10 ng g⁻¹ range are reached for LA-ICP-MS using the quadrupole mass spectrometer. With double-focusing sector field ICP-MS, the limits of detection are in general one order of magnitude lower and reach the sub ng g⁻¹ range for ²³³U and ²³⁷Np. A comparison of mass spectrometric results with those of neutron activation analysis on undoped concrete sample indicates that a semiquantitative determination of the concentrations of the minor and trace elements in the concrete matrix is possible with LA-ICP-MS without using a standard reference material.