A novel high-temperature (360 °C)/high-pressure (30 MPa) flow system for online sample digestion applied to ICP spectrometry

A flow injection sample digestion system has been developed comprising an indirectly electrically heated Pt/Ir capillary. Such a capillary allows reaction temperatures of up to 360?°C and pressures of up to 30 MPa (300 bar) and withstands concentrated acids. This temperature is 130?°C to 160?°C higher compared to the operating temperatures of microwave heated flow systems. A combination of an ultrasonic nebulizer and membrane desolvator serves as an interface between the flow digestion system and an ICP/AES spectrometer. The membrane desolvator removes interfering gaseous digestion products so effectively before the sample stream enters the plasma that the measured residual carbon concentration falls in the region of the detection limit of ICP/OES measurements. Sewage sludge samples were digested using nitric acid and the elemental traces online determined. The detection limits related to the original dry substances amount to the lower μg/g range.     

Automatic flow-injection system for the determination of heavy metals in sewage sludge by microwave digestion and detection by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (MW-ICP/AES)

Results are shown obtained in the optimization of an automatic flow injection system that combines microwave digestion with atomic spectrometric detection (FAAS, ICP/AES) for the determination of heavy metals in sewage sludge. Digestion is performed by preparing a suspension of the sample in 1.5 mol/l HNO(3) and making it flow through a PTFE capillary tube placed inside a conventional microwave oven. The effects of the length and inner diameter of the capillary tube, as well as that of the pumping rate, have been studied in order to find the experimental conditions that allow a quantitative elemental recovery in the shortest period of time possible. The optimization study was carried out on a certified sample (BCR No. 146), and the elements determined were Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr. The experimental data (percent recovery vs. digestion time) have been fitted to a mathematical model in order to quantify the influence of each of the variables studied. The optimized procedure (MW-ICP/AES) has been applied to one ordinary and one certified sewage sludge sample. In comparison with the conventional methods of sewage sludge analysis, the one proposed is less time consuming, while being equally precise and accurate.     

Automatic flow-injection system for the determination of heavy metals in sewage sludge by microwave digestion and detection by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (MW-ICP/AES)

Results are shown obtained in the optimization of an automatic flow injection system that combines microwave digestion with atomic spectrometric detection (FAAS, ICP/AES) for the determination of heavy metals in sewage sludge. Digestion is performed by preparing a suspension of the sample in 1.5 mol/l HNO₃ and making it flow through a PTFE capillary tube placed inside a conventional microwave oven. The effects of the length and inner diameter of the capillary tube, as well as that of the pumping rate, have been studied in order to find the experimental conditions that allow a quantitative elemental recovery in the shortest period of time possible. The optimization study was carried out on a certified sample (BCR No. 146), and the elements determined were Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr. The experimental data (percent recovery vs. digestion time) have been fitted to a mathematical model in order to quantify the influence of each of the variables studied. The optimized procedure (MW-ICP/AES) has been applied to one ordinary and one certified sewage sludge sample. In comparison with the conventional methods of sewage sludge analysis, the one proposed is less time consuming, while being equally precise and accurate.     

Accurate quantification and transformation of arsenic compounds during wet ashing with nitric acid and microwave assisted heating

Arsenous acid, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), methylarsonic acid (MA), arsenic acid, arsenobetaine bromide (AB), trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), arsenocholine iodide (AC), and tetramethylarsonium iodide (TETRA) were heated in a microwave autoclave with nitric acid to 100-300 degrees C. The arsenic compounds in the digests were separated with anion- and cation-exchange chromatography and determined with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer as arsenic-specific detector. Arsenous acid was completely oxidized to arsenic acid at 100 degrees C. For a complete oxidation of MA and DMA to arsenic acid temperatures > 220 degrees C and > 280 degrees C were necessary. AB decomposed to arsenic acid via TMAO. Complete conversion was only obtained after heating the sample for 90 min to 300 degrees C. For a complete conversion of TMAO similar harsh conditions were necessary. AC was already substantially degraded to TMAO, TETRA and two unknown compounds at 100 degrees C. The unknown arsenic compounds were found only in the digests up to 160 degrees C. Quantitative conversion of AC to arsenic acid went also via TMAO. At temperatures above 220 degrees C TETRA started to convert to TMAO, which then was further converted to arsenic acid. To investigate whether the results obtained for the arsenic standards are transferable to real samples, the certified reference material DORM-2 was also heated in nitric acid with variable digestion temperatures and times. For an almost complete conversion of the AB present in DORM-2 90 min at 300 degrees C were necessary. Total organic carbon (TOC) was less < 0.2% when DORM-2 was heated at temperatures > or = 260 degrees C for 60 min. UV photo-oxidation of DORM-2 was investigated as an alternative sample decomposition. Only 6% of AB was converted to arsenic acid when DORM-2 was irradiated for 2 h at 1000 W. In contrast to microwave heating substantial amounts of MA were observed as degradation product.     

Fast and direct screening of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated sand using a miniaturized membrane inlet mass spectrometer (mini-MIMS)

A miniaturized membrane inlet mass spectrometer (mini-MIMS; total weight 10 kg everything included) was equipped with a small sample cell using a flat sheet silicone membrane mounted close to the ionizing region of a multipole mass spectrometer. Spiked sand samples were placed in small stainless steel vials and dropped into the heated sample cell (>150 degrees C). A hole in the vial in front of the membrane and above the sand made it possible for the polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) residuals to penetrate the membrane and enter the mass spectrometer as they evaporated from the sample. Using this simple setup we were able to quantitatively (approximately 10% relative standard deviation (RSD)) detect PAHs with up to five aromatic rings and with detection limits in the low parts-per-million (ppm) range. The vial system solves one of the major difficulties in analysis of larger PAHs using a MIMS. Normally, analysis of PAHs with more than two rings is hampered by a long memory effect due to the sticking of the PAHs to the inlet system, the membrane and surfaces in the vacuum system. By removing the vial from the sample cell within 2 min, we were able to analyze samples at 5-10 min intervals. The preliminary laboratory experiments presented here show much promise with respect to the development of a hand held (<10 kg) on-site mass spectrometry system for PAH screening at contaminated sites.     

Separation of peptides utilizing ultrahigh-temperature micellar electrokinetic chromatography

The use of ultrahigh column temperatures, up to 110 degrees C, in micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography was investigated. The number of plates generated per unit time increased from 0.22 to 12.8 plates/s for separations at 15 degrees C and 110 degrees C, respectively. Ultrahigh-temperature micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography was used for the separation of cyclic undecapeptides (cyclosporins). A minimum resolution of 1.39 was calculated for a critical peak pair at 110 degrees C, which is more than a 50% increase over resolution generated at 40 degrees C. During a run time of more than 90 min at 110 degrees C and at pH 9.3, no sample degradation or solvent boiling was observed.     

Improvement of the capabilities of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry by replacing the desolvation system of an ultrasonic nebulization system with a pre-evaporation tube

The effect of replacing the desolvation system (i.e., heater/condenser (HC) and membrane desolvator (MD)) of an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN) system with a pre-evaporation tube (PET) that is heated to about 400 °C on the analytical capabilities of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES) was investigated. A multivariate optimisation was conducted in each case to find operating conditions maximizing plasma robustness. Under optimum conditions, the analytical performance of ICP–OES was significantly improved (i.e., better sensitivity, detection limit and plasma robustness) with USN–PET compared to that achieved with both the commercially-available USN–HC–MD and a conventional pneumatic nebulizer/spray chamber sample introduction system. However, only the USN–PET approach allows the determination of Hg, which appears to otherwise be lost in the heater/condenser system. Using a simple external calibration, without any matrix matching, and using an argon emission line for internal standardization, the results obtained for the determination of trace elements in certified soil reference materials (SRM 2710 and 2711) by USN–PET were in good agreement with certified values. This is unlike with conventional sample introduction systems where internal standardization using an Ar line is unusual, as it does not compensate for physical interferences, and either internal standardization (with internal standards added to the sample and standard solutions) or matrix-matched calibration is required.     

Determination of selenium in blood serum by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with pneumatic nebulization

The possibility of determining selenium in blood serum using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry with conventional pneumatic nebulization was studied. A high-resolution spectrometer (SBW=6 pm) with laterally viewed ICP was employed. Analysis with conventional pneumatic nebulization could overcome laborious and demanding digestion, which is necessary for hydride generation. A pressure digestion with nitric acid at 160 degrees C was sufficient to decrease the carbon content in the serum sample to 5%-10% of its original value. Spectral interference of the CN band was observed and mathematically corrected. It was found that the carbon-induced selenium line emission enhancement occurred even under ICP optimized conditions. A method of determination was developed and applied to the analysis of blood serum. True limit of detection in real samples is 0.01-0.02 mg/L and the limit of quantification (RSD 10%) is 0.03-0.07 mg/L using Se I 196.090 nm line at an integration time of 10-2 s. The method was tested by analysis of porcine blood serum and the serum reference material Seronorm MI 0181.     

Determination of acrylamide formed in asparagine/D-glucose maillard model systems by using gas chromatography with headspace solid-phase microextraction

A gas chromatographic method, along with a headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), was developed for the determination of acrylamide formed in Maillard reaction model systems. The developed method was validated by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. A headspace sample was collected from an aqueous acrylamide solution (100 microg/mL) by SPME and directly injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector. The recovery of acrylamide from an aqueous solution was satisfactory, i.e, >93% under the conditions used. Acrylamide formed in an asparagine/D-glucose (molar ratio, 1/2) Maillard reaction model system heated at 150 and 170 degrees C for 20 min was collected and analyzed by the newly developed method using gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection and HS-SPME. The amounts of acrylamide were 318 +/- 33 microg/g asparagine from a sample heated at 150 degrees C and 3329 +/- 176 microg/g asparagine from a sample heated at 170 degrees C. Addition of cysteamine or glutathione to the above model system reduced acrylamide formation. Acrylamide formation was not observed when cysteamine or glutathione was added to asparagine in the above model systems to obtain equimolar concentrations of both compounds. This newly developed method is simple and sensitive, and requires no solvent extraction.     

微流动注射进样-加热雾室-等离子体质谱测定血清中的铂

开发了一种基于雾化室加热的微流动注射进样系统,并用于血清中Pt的测定。该进样系统由微量毛细管雾化器、加热微型雾化室、八通道十六孔多功能旋转阀、蠕动泵和注射泵组成。研究了雾化室尺寸、加热温度和采样环体积对信号强度的影响。当雾化室内径为9 mm、加热段长度为6 cm,雾化室温度90 ℃,采样环体积为5 μL时,195Pt的信号强度提高了2.31倍,同时信号精密度从5.1%降至2.2%,并得到峰形良好的信号峰。该进样系统的试样消耗小、灵敏度和检出限均优于常规进样系统。10次测定10 μg/L的Pt标准溶液和血清样品溶液,峰高的RSD分别为2.9%和3.3%。该进样系统测得10个血清中的Pt含量与常规进样系统的测试结果无显著差异,在样品量稀少的情况下具有良好的应用价值。     

Continuous flow derivatization system coupled to capillary electrophoresis for the determination of amino acids

A derivatization system coupled to capillary electrophoresis for the determination of amino acids using 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonate as a labeling agent is described. In this system, amino acids are derivatized on-line in a three-channel flow manifold for sample, reagent and buffer solutions. The reaction takes place in a PTFE coil heated at 80 degrees C. The resulting solution, which contains the amino acid derivatives, is introduced into the electrophoretic system by means of an appropriate interface. Subsequently, amino acid derivatives are separated at 25 kV using a 40 mM sodium tetraborate aqueous solution with 30% (v/v) isopropanol solution as a running buffer. The electropherograms are monitored spectrophotometrically at 230 nm. The method has been applied to the determination of amino acids in feed samples and pharmaceutical preparations. A good concordance of the predicted values with those given by a standard amino acid analyzer is shown.     

SI-traceable certification of the amount content of cadmium below the ng g–1 level in blood samples by isotope dilution ICP–MS applied as a primary method of measurement

The development and implementation of a method for the certification of cadmium in blood samples at low ng g^–1 and sub ng g^–1 levels is described. The analytical procedure is based on inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ICP–IDMS) applied as a primary method of measurement. Two different sample digestion methods, an optimized microwave digestion procedure using HNO₃ and H₂O₂ as oxidizing agents and a high-pressure asher digestion procedure, were developed and compared. The very high salt content of the digests and the high molybdenum content, which can cause oxide-based interferences with the Cd isotopes, were reduced by a chromatographic matrix separation step using an anion-exchange resin. All isotope ratio measurements were performed by a quadrupole ICP–MS equipped with an ultrasonic nebulizer with membrane desolvator. This sample introduction set-up was used to increase sensitivity and minimize the formation of oxides (less MoO⁺ interference with the Cd isotopes). Because of the very low Cd concentrations in the samples and the resulting need to minimize the procedural blank as much as possible, all sample-processing steps were performed in a clean room environment. Detection limits of 0.005 ng g^–1 Cd were achieved using sample weights of 2.7 g. The method described was used to re-certify the cadmium content of three different blood reference materials from the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) of the European Commission (BCR-194, BCR-195, BCR-196). Cadmium concentrations ranged between ～0.2 ng g^–1 and ～12 ng g^–1. For these materials, SI-traceable certified values including total uncertainty budgets according to ISO and Eurachem guidelines were established.     

Membrane desolvation for the analysis of organic solutions and liquid chromatographic samples with low power helium microwave induced plasma atomic emission detection

A flat sheet membrane desolvator (FSMD) was used to extend the applicability of a 120 W helium microwave induced plasma (He-MIP) to elemental analysis of organic-solvent-based samples and element selective liquid chromatographic detection. With the FSMD on-line, methanol could be nebulized with a sample flow rate of 1.5 ml/min and a carrier gas flow rate of 1.2 l/min without extinguishing the plasma. Under these conditions, applying desolvator countercurrent gas flows in the range 0–8 l/min restored of the original pink color of the pure helium MIP from the bluish-green caused by methanol. Significant reductions in the emission intensities of C₂ species at 436.5, 473.7, 512.9, and 563.6 nm were observed with the application of the FSMD. The intensities of chlorine analyte emission lines at 479.5, 481.0 and 481.9 nm increased with increasing countercurrent gas flow rates and reached a maximum intensity with a flow rate of 5.0 l/min. Detection limits for Cl and Pb were 2.1 and 0.1 ppm using a 1 m focal length monochromator. Other elements and solvent combinations were also examined. Element selective liquid chromatographic detection was preliminarily examined by monitoring 2,6-dichlorobenzene and 5,7-dichlorohydroxyquinoline at the 479.5 nm Cl atomic emission line. Chlorine detection limits in the 3–7 μg range (70–190 ng/s) were obtained.     

Flow Injection Coupled Capillary Isotachophoresis to ICP-AES and On-line Determination of Metal Species

A new technique for coupling capillary isotachophoresis (CITP) to Inductive coupled plasmas atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) using flow injection (FI) is developed. Great attention to CITP have been paid owing to its broad application prospect in biochemistry, clinic, pharmacy, food,environment detection and conventional ionic analysis. Its zone-boundary sharpening, large size capillary and self-concentrating effects are different from those of other electrophoretic techniques. Recently, ICP-AES/MS, as a special metal detector, has been combined with the capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). However, in CZE system, typical sample volume and flow rate are only in the range of 0.02 - 1 μl/min and 0.2-2μl, which results in the difficult for the coupling of CZE and ICP with conventional sampling system and the obtaining enough sensitivity.     

Development of a procedure for the multi-element determination of trace elements in wine by ICP–MS

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP–MS) procedure has been developed for the determination of trace elements in wine. The procedure consists in simple 1+1 dilution of the wine and semi-quantitative analysis (without external calibration) using In as internal standard. Thirty-one elements at concentrations ranging from 0.1 mg mL^–1 to 0.5 ng mL^–1 can be determined by ICP–MS analysis with and without digestion. It was investigated whether a matrix effect observed for EtOH in the wine matrix can be overcome by application of a micro-concentric nebulizer with a membrane desolvator (MCN 6000). The results obtained for the MCN 6000 are compared with those obtained by use of a conventional Meinhard nebulizer. It is shown that the observed matrix effect can only be compensated by use of an internal standard for the Meinhard nebulizer, but not for the MCN 6000. Results for ICP–MS are compared with those obtained by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF).     

A high performance liquid chromatography – inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry interface employing desolvation for speciation studies of platinum in chemotherapy drugs

A novel interface between high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is described. The eluent from the HPLC is nebulised into a heated cyclone spray-chamber and the solvent removed using a Nafion membrane drier, held at 75 degrees C, and a cryogenic condenser. The condenser consists of 6 Peltier heat pumps connected to liquid cooled aluminium blocks. At a nebuliser gas flow rate of 0.6 l min(-1), the membrane drier removes 58% of the vapour and the Peltier condenser 75% of the remaining vapour, i.e. a total desolvation efficiency of 89%. This enables the use of HPLC solvents which otherwise would destabilise the ICP, e.g. 100% acetonitrile or methanol, and permits the use of solvent gradients with minimal baseline drift. The system has been applied to the determination of platinum species in an organoplatinum drug used for chemotherapy in human plasma ultrafiltrate of patients treated with this new drug (JM-216). The limit of detection for platinum species has been 0.6 ng nl(-1) (i.e. 120 pg of Pt) and several species have been separated with good resolution.     

Headspace gas chromatography of stimulants in urine by in-column trifluoroacetyl derivatization method

The analysis of stimulants in urine using a headspace gas chromatography system equipped with an in-column sample trifluoroacetylation unit was investigated. A 5-ml aliquot of urine containing stimulants was pipetted into a 20-ml autosampler vial together with 3.5 g of potassium carbonate. The vial was sealed and heated for 20 min at 80 degrees C, then 0.8 ml of the headspace gas and N-methylbis(trifluoroacetamide) gas were injected simultaneously into the gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector and a fused-silica capillary column (DB-1, 30 m x 0.32 mm I.D., film thickness 0.25 micron), with a gas-tight syringe. Calibration graphs prepared by the absolute calibration curve method showed good linearity over the concentration range of 0.04 to 50 micrograms/ml for methamphetamine hydrochloride and amphetamine sulphate. The detection limits were 0.03 micrograms/ml for both of these compounds.     

Investigation of a flat sheet membrane desolvator for aqueous solvent removal with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Results obtained from a preliminary investigation of the performance of a flat sheet membrane desolvator (FSMD) utilizing dual hydrophobic polypropylene membranes with an average pore size of 0.05 mum and a 50 +/- 5 mum thickness are reported. The membranes have a desolvation area of 241 cm(2). The volume-to-surface area ratio is 0.3 cm. Using the FSMD with an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN), aqueous solvent desolvation efficiencies of greater than 99.9% were obtained at all nebulizer gas flow rates investigated (0.8, 1.2, and 1.8 l min(-1)). This efficient desolvation occurred when the countercurrent gas flow rate was equal to or slightly greater than the applied nebulizer gas flow rate. Under these conditions preconcentration factors of 18, 44, and 590 were observed with flows of 0.8, 1.2 and 1.8 l min(-1), respectively. Operating with countercurrent gas flow rates much higher than the nebulizer gas flow rates leads to a significant reduction in analyte flux, thus increasing detection limits. Depending on the nebulizer and countercurrent gas flow rate conditions, the FSMD contributed between 10-40% to the overall analyte loss in the system. The lowest detection limit observed for aqueous copper with the USN-FSMD system is 0.4 ppb at nebulizer and countercurrent gas flow rates of 1.2 and 1.4 l min(-1), respectively. At this nebulizer gas flow rate, replacing the FSMD in the system with a commercial tubular membrane desolvator, MDX100, gave a lowest Cu detection limit of 0.2 ppb at a countercurrent gas flow rate of 1.2 l min(-1). These detection limits represents improvements over the 0.7 and 8 ppb obtained with USN and pneumatic nebulization, respectively.     

Rapid and high resolution capillary supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and SFC/MS of trichothecene mycotoxins

The potential application of capillary column supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and SFC/mass spectrometry (SFC/MS) for the separation and analysis of mycotoxins of the trichothecene group was examined. Trichothecenes present significant analytical problems for both gas and liquid chromatography with a major difficulty for the latter being the lack of sufficiently sensitive and selective detectors. Supercritical carbon dioxide mobile phases at temperatures up to 100 degrees C were used with deactivated fused silica columns coated with crosslinked stationary phases. Separations were obtained under pressure ramped conditions using long (15 m) 50-micron i.d. columns for several trichothecenes (diacetoxyscirpenol, deoxynivalenol, and T-2 toxin) and related higher molecular weight macrocyclic (roridin and verrucarin) trichothecenes. In addition, new rapid pressure programming techniques with short (less than 2m) 25- to 50-micron i.d. capillary columns were used to obtain fast separations in as little as 1 min. SFC/MS with ammonia chemical ionization provided high selectivity and sensitive detection (with approximately 1-pg detection limits) for trichothecene mixtures. The extension to complex sample matrices is discussed and the application of selective MS/MS detection is demonstrated.     

Evaluation of ODS-AQ stationary phase for use in capillary electrochromatography

The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of ODS-AQ packing material as a stationary phase in capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The electroosmotic flow created on an ODS-AQ stationary phase was measured at different mobile phase compositions and at different column temperatures. It was observed that the electroosmotic flow generated in the column increased by 50% when the temperature of the system was raised from 20 degrees C to 60 degrees C, while all other conditions were kept constant. The electroosmotic flow produced by the ODS-AQ stationary phase was found to be comparable to the flow generated in a column packed with Nucleosil bare-silica material. In addition, a set of polar compounds (D-lysergic acid diethylamide derivatives) was utilized to determine the influence of temperature and mobile phase composition on their chromatographic behavior on an ODS-AQ stationary phase in a CEC mode. A linear relationship between the solute retention factor and column temperatures was seen over the temperature range studied (20 degrees C to 60 degrees C). A quadratic function was used to describe the changes in the solute retention factors with variation of acetonitrile concentration in the mobile phase.