Absolute measurements and certified reference material for iron isotopes using multiple-collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry

Two enriched isotopes, 99.94 at.% 56Fe and 99.90 at.% 54Fe, were blended under gravimetric control to prepare ten synthetic isotope samples whose 56Fe isotope abundances ranged from 95% to 20%. For multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) measurements typical polyatomic interferences were removed by using Ar and H2 as collision gas and operating the MC-ICP-MS system in soft mode. Thus high-precision measurements of the Fe isotope abundance ratios were accomplished. Based on the measurement of the synthetic isotope abundance ratios by MC-ICP-MS, the correction factor for mass discrimination was calculated and the results were in agreement with results from IRMM014. The precision of all ten correction factors was 0.044%, indicating a good linearity of the MC-ICP-MS method for different isotope abundance ratio values. An isotopic reference material was certified under the same conditions as the instrument was calibrated. The uncertainties of ten correction factors K were calculated and the final extended uncertainties of the isotopic certified Fe reference material were 5.8363(37) at.% 54Fe, 91.7621(51) at.% 56Fe, 2.1219(23) at.% 57Fe, and 0.2797(32) at.% 58Fe.     

Accuracy and long-term reproducibility of lead isotopic measurements by multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using an external method for correction of mass discrimination

The precision of isotopic measurements of Pb by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) is limited by the fact that this element does not possess an invariant isotope ratio that can be used for the correction of mass fractionation by internal normalization. Multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) can overcome this limitation, because with plasma ionization, elements with overlapping mass ranges are thought to display identical mass discrimination. With respect to Pb, this can be exploited by the addition of Tl to the sample solutions; the mass discrimination factor obtained for Tl can then be used for the correction of the measured Pb isotope ratios. In this article we present the results of a detailed study that investigates the accuracy and precision of such an external correction technique for mass discrimination based upon the results of multiple analyses of a mixed standard solution of NIST SRM-981 Pb and SRM-997 Tl. Our data indicate that normalization of the Pb isotope ratios to the certified isotopic composition of SRM-997 Tl produces Pb isotopic results that are significantly lower than recently published reference values by TIMS. This systematic offset can be eliminated by renormalization of the Pb data to a different Tl isotopic composition to obtain an empirically determined mass discrimination factor for Pb that generates accurate results. It is furthermore shown that a linear law is least suited for the correction of mass discrimination, whereas a power or exponential law function provide significantly more accurate and precise results. In detail, it appears that a power law may provide the most appropriate correction procedure, because the corrected Pb isotope ratios display less residual correlations with mass discrimination compared to the exponentially corrected data. Using an exponential or power law correction our results, obtained over a period of over seven months, display a precision (2σ) of better than 60 parts per million (ppm) for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and of better than 350 ppm for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb. This represents a significant improvement compared to conventional TIMS techniques and demonstrates the potential of MC-ICPMS for routine, high-precision measurements of Pb isotopic compositions.     

Parameter optimization of electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for oligoelement determination in standard reference materials

The operational parameters of the graphite furnace for electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS), i.e. the internal carrier gas flow rate, the total carrier gas flow rate, the sample pretreatment temperature and the volatilization temperature, are optimized for oligoelement determinations (⁷⁵As, ⁹Be, ¹¹²Cd, ⁵⁰Cr, ⁶⁵Cu, ¹⁰³Rh, ¹²³Sb). The volatilization temperatures of As and Cr are compared to those obtained by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Several modifiers Mg(NO₃)₂, Pd(NO₃)₂, Mg(NO₃)₂/Pd(NO₃)₂, Ni(NO₃)₂, KI, (NH₄)H₂PO₄ have been tested using the concentrations recommended for GFAAS. The concentration of Mg(NO₃)₂ alone and in combination with NaCl has been varied to find the optimal modifier conditions. ETV-ICP-MS signal enhancements by a factor of 10 to 130 respective to those of conventional nebulization have been obtained. The optimized parameters are evaluated by analyzing the water standard reference NIST 1643c and the aqua regia solution of the lake sediment reference material BCR 280.     

Parameter optimization of electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for oligoelement determination in standard reference materials

The operational parameters of the graphite furnace for electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS), i.e. the internal carrier gas flow rate, the total carrier gas flow rate, the sample pretreatment temperature and the volatilization temperature, are optimized for oligoelement determinations (⁷⁵As, ⁹Be, ¹¹²Cd, ⁵⁰Cr, ⁶⁵Cu, ¹⁰³Rh, ¹²³Sb). The volatilization temperatures of As and Cr are compared to those obtained by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Several modifiers Mg(NO₃)₂, Pd(NO₃)₂, Mg(NO₃)₂/Pd(NO₃)₂, Ni(NO₃)₂, KI, (NH₄)H₂PO₄ have been tested using the concentrations recommended for GFAAS. The concentration of Mg(NO₃)₂ alone and in combination with NaCl has been varied to find the optimal modifier conditions. ETV-ICP-MS signal enhancements by a factor of 10 to 130 respective to those of conventional nebulization have been obtained. The optimized parameters are evaluated by analyzing the water standard reference NIST 1643c and the aqua regia solution of the lake sediment reference material BCR 280.     

Applications of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in materials science

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and laser ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) have been applied as the most important inorganic mass spectrometric techniques having multielemental capability for the characterization of solid samples in materials science. ICP-MS is used for the sensitive determination of trace and ultratrace elements in digested solutions of solid samples or of process chemicals (ultrapure water, acids and organic solutions) for the semiconductor industry with detection limits down to sub-picogram per liter levels. Whereas ICP-MS on solid samples (e.g. high-purity ceramics) sometimes requires time-consuming sample preparation for its application in materials science, and the risk of contamination is a serious drawback, a fast, direct determination of trace elements in solid materials without any sample preparation by LA-ICP-MS is possible. The detection limits for the direct analysis of solid samples by LA-ICP-MS have been determined for many elements down to the nanogram per gram range. A deterioration of detection limits was observed for elements where interferences with polyatomic ions occur. The inherent interference problem can often be solved by applying a double-focusing sector field mass spectrometer at higher mass resolution or by collision-induced reactions of polyatomic ions with a collision gas using an ICP-MS fitted with collision cell. The main problem of LA-ICP-MS is quantification if no suitable standard reference materials with a similar matrix composition are available. The calibration problem in LA-ICP-MS can be solved using on-line solution-based calibration, and different procedures, such as external calibration and standard addition, have been discussed with respect to their application in materials science. The application of isotope dilution in solution-based calibration for trace metal determination in small amounts of noble metals has been developed as a new calibration strategy. This review discusses new analytical developments and possible applications of ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS for the quantitative determination of trace elements and in surface analysis for materials science.     

Isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID ICP-MS) for the certification of lead and cadmium in environmental standard reference materials

Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) have been determined in six new environmental standard reference materials (SRMs) using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID ICP-MS). The SRMs are the following: SRM 1944, New York-New Jersey Waterway Sediment, SRMs 2583 and 2584, Trace Elements in Indoor Dust, Nominal 90 mg/kg and 10,000 mg/kg Lead, respectively, SRMs 2586 and 2587, Trace Elements in Soil Containing Lead from Paint, Nominal 500 mg/kg and 3,000 mg/kg Lead, respectively, and SRM 2782, Industrial Sludge. The capabilities of ID ICP-MS for the certification of Pb and Cd in these materials are assessed. Sample preparation and ratio measurement uncertainties have been evaluated. Reproducibility and accuracy of the established procedures are demonstrated by determination of gravimetrically prepared primary standard solutions and by comparison with isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID TIMS). Material heterogeneity was readily demonstrated to be the dominant source of uncertainty in the certified values.     

Isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID ICP-MS) for the certification of lead and cadmium in environmental standard reference materials

Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) have been determined in six new environmental standard reference materials (SRMs) using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID ICP-MS). The SRMs are the following: SRM 1944, New York-New Jersey Waterway Sediment, SRMs 2583 and 2584, Trace Elements in Indoor Dust, Nominal 90 mg/kg and 10,000 mg/kg Lead, respectively, SRMs 2586 and 2587, Trace Elements in Soil Containing Lead from Paint, Nominal 500 mg/kg and 3000 mg/kg Lead, respectively, and SRM 2782, Industrial Sludge. The capabilities of ID ICP-MS for the certification of Pb and Cd in these materials are assessed. Sample preparation and ratio measurement uncertainties have been evaluated. Reproducibility and accuracy of the established procedures are demonstrated by determination of gravimetrically prepared primary standard solutions and by comparison with isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID TIMS). Material heterogeneity was readily demonstrated to be the dominant source of uncertainty in the certified values.     

Accurate determination of lead in wines by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Summary The capability of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Pb determinations in wine samples is studied. An evaluation is made of the signal behaviour in aqueous ethanolic medium. The effect of preliminary sample preparation on signal suppression or enhancement is investigated in conjunction with the ability of internal standardization to correct for it. As a result, an accurate and precise method of analysis is described in which the sample preparation is limited to a 10-fold dilution and external calibration is applied for quantitation. A detection limit of 0.2 g 1^–1 Pb in wine is achieved. The Pb content of ten different wines was found to range around 40 g 1^–1 with extreme values of 1.63 and 58.8 g 1^–1.     

Determination of trace sulfur in biodiesel and diesel standard reference materials by isotope dilution sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A method is described for quantification of sulfur at low concentrations on the order of mg kg⁻¹ in biodiesel and diesel fuels using isotope dilution and sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-SF-ICP-MS). Closed vessel microwave-assisted digestion was employed using a diluted nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide decomposition medium to reduce sample dilution volumes. Medium resolution mode was employed to eliminate isobaric interferences at ³²S and ³⁴S related to polyatomic phosphorus and oxygen species, and sulfur hydride species. The method outlined yielded respective limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) of 0.7 mg kg⁻¹ S and 2.5 mg kg⁻¹ S (in the sample). The LOD was constrained by instrument background counts at ³²S but was sufficient to facilitate value assignment of total S mass fraction in NIST SRM 2723b Sulfur in Diesel Fuel Oil at 9.06 ± 0.13 mg kg⁻¹. No statistically significant difference at a 95% confidence level was observed between the measured and certified values for certified reference materials NIST SRM 2773 B100 Biodiesel (Animal-Based), CENAM DRM 272b and NIST SRM 2723a Sulfur in Diesel Fuel Oil, validating method accuracy.     

Determination of copper, molybdenum and selenium in biological reference materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Summary In a contribution to the elemental characterization of 10 new reference materials, Bovine Muscle Powder (136), Corn Starch (162), Hard Red Spring Wheat Flour (165), Soft Winter Wheat Flour (166), Whole Milk Powder (183), Wheat Gluten (184), Corn Bran (186), Durum Wheat Flour (187), Whole Egg Powder (188) and Microcrystalline Cellulose (189), the total concentrations of Cu, Mo and Se were determined by the application of an analytical method based on isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Cu and Mo contents were quantified by measurement of ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu and ⁹⁷Mo/¹⁰⁰Mo isotopic ratios following spiking with ⁶⁵Cu and ⁹⁷Mo and digestion with nitric acid. Selenium was separated as hydrogen selenide from the matrix using sodium borohydride after spiking with ⁸²Se and acid digestion-dry ashing and quantified by measurement of the ⁸²Se/⁷⁸Se isotopic ratio. Comparison of these results with those from a variety of other methods and assessment of the procedures using certified reference materials indicated that the determinations of Cu, Mo and Se were performed without analytical bias.     

Multielemental analysis in small amounts of environmental reference materials with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The lowest possible sample weight for performing multielemental trace element analysis on environmental and biological samples by ICP-MS has been investigated. The certified reference materials Bovine Liver NIST SRM 1577b, Human Hair NCS DC 73347 and Oriental Tobacco Leaves CTA-OTL-1 were applied at sample weights (1, 5, 20 and 50 mg aliquots, n = 10) which were significantly lower than those recommended with most recoveries in the range of 95-110%. Samples were digested in a mixture of nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen fluoride by closed-vessel microwave digestion. Multielemental analysis was performed with an optimized ICP-QMS method. Aqueous standard solutions were applied for external calibration with rhodium as the internal standard element. The detection limits varied between 0.02-0.38 microg/g for Li, Na, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Ba and Pb, and up to 1.92 microg/g for Mg, Al, Ca, Fe and Ni. Digested human plasma samples were spiked with multielemental solution (0.5-10 microg/L) to test the analytical method and the recoveries were 95-105% for most analytes. Our results show that in the case of homogeneous SRMs it is possible to use them in very low amounts (1-5 mg) for method development and quality control.     

Multielemental analysis in small amounts of environmental reference materials with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The lowest possible sample weight for performing multielemental trace element analysis on environmental and biological samples by ICP-MS has been investigated. The certified reference materials Bovine Liver NIST SRM 1577b, Human Hair NCS DC 73347 and Oriental Tobacco Leaves CTA-OTL-1 were applied at sample weights (1, 5, 20 and 50 mg aliquots, n = 10) which were significantly lower than those recommended with most recoveries in the range of 95–110%. Samples were digested in a mixture of nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen fluoride by closed-vessel microwave digestion. Multielemental analysis was performed with an optimized ICP-QMS method. Aqueous standard solutions were applied for external calibration with rhodium as the internal standard element. The detection limits varied between 0.02–¶0.38 μg/g for Li, Na, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Ba and Pb, and up to 1.92 μg/g for Mg, Al, Ca, Fe and Ni. Digested human plasma samples were spiked with multielemental solution (0.5–10 μg/L) to test the analytical method and the recoveries were 95–105% for most analytes. Our results show that in the case of homogeneous SRMs it is possible to use them in very low amounts (1–5 mg) for method development and quality control.     

Analysis of biological reference materials, prepared by microwave dissolution, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A procedure has been developed for the analysis of biological materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Fast, efficient and complete sample digestion is achieved by a combined microwave-nitric acid/open beaker-nitric acid-hydrogen peroxide procedure. The ICP-MS analysis is performed with an on-line five-element internal standard to correct for matrix and instrumental drift effects. Results are presented for 24 elements in three biological reference materials (National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Materials 5277a Liver and 1566 Oyster and International Atomic Energy Agency Certified Reference Material H4 Animal Muscle). For all elements significantly above the detection limit and reagent blank concentrations, good agreement exists between ICP-MS and certified values.     

Determination of rare-earth elements in uranium-bearing materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A novel and simple analytical procedure has been developed for the trace-level determination of lanthanides (rare-earth elements) in uranium-bearing materials by inductively coupled plasma sector-field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS). The method involves a selective extraction chromatographic separation of lanthanides using TRU™ resin followed by ICP-SFMS analysis. The limits of detection of the method proposed is in the low pg g⁻¹ range, which are approximately two orders of magnitude better than that of without chemical separation. The method was validated by the measurement of reference material and applied for the analysis of uranium ore concentrates (yellow cakes) for nuclear forensic purposes, as a potential application of the methodology.     

Determination of chromium, cadmium and lead in food-packaging materials by axial inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with a time-of-flight (TOF) analyser was used for the determination of chromium, cadmium and lead in six food-packaging materials (paper and paper board). The samples (0.20-0.25 g) were digested in concentrated nitric acid in a high pressure microwave oven at 180 °C within 15 min. Two different plasma conditions were applied: cool plasma conditions (0.76 kW; 0.85, 0.89 and 15.5 l min⁻¹ nebuliser, auxiliary and plasma gas flow rate, respectively) for the determination of chromium and normal plasma conditions (1.21 kW; 0.66, 0.68 and 13.6 l min⁻¹ nebuliser, auxiliary and plasma gas flow rate, respectively) for the determination of cadmium and lead. External calibration was used in combination with rhodium (40 ng g⁻¹) as an internal standard. The detection limits (DL = 3S.D./sensitivity) under the conditions used corresponded to 0.01 ng g⁻¹ (), 0.06 ng g⁻¹ (), 0.07 ng g⁻¹ (), 0.03 ng g⁻¹ () and 0.02 ng g⁻¹ ( and ). The precision (R.S.D.) for six replicate determinations (10 s integration time) of 1 and 10 ng g⁻¹ of each analyte varied from 0.72% () to 4.43% (). The contents of chromium, cadmium and lead in the examined materials were evaluated using the signals of , and . They were in the range: 0.25-0.50 μg g⁻¹ for Cr, not detected (nd) to 0.12 μg g⁻¹ for Cd and 0.28-0.35 μg g⁻¹ for Pb in paper and 0.50-0.64 μg g⁻¹ for Cr, nd to 0.09 μg g⁻¹ for Cd and 0.67-0.99 μg g⁻¹ for Pb in paper board.     

The use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the production of environmental certified reference materials

The use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the production of environmental certified reference materials by the National Research Council of Canada is reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of isotope dilution ICP-MS. Results for fresh and saline natural waters, fish tissues and sediments are presented to illustrate the impressive capabilities of this technique.     

Determination of 24 elements in four algae reference materials by neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Four algae reference materials, IAEA-391, 392, 393 and IAEA-140, prepared by the International Atomic Energy Agency for intercomparison under different preparation conditions were analyzed for 24 elements. Conventional neutron activation analysis (NAA) was used to determine Al, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Sb, V and Zn and epithermal NAA using BN and Cd as shielding material for I, Br, As, Ni, Mo and Cd. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as a complementary and comparative method was applied to determine Pb, Sn, Ni, Sr, Rb, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, V, Mo and Zn. Two analytical quality control standard reference materials IAEA-V-10 (hay powder) and IAEA-331 (spinach) were analyzed simultaneously with real samples. The results agree quite well with each other and with the certified values.     

Uncertainty of high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry based aerosol measurements

Simultaneous and multi-elemental method was optimized to determine 35 elements in 274 coarse and fine aerosol samples by using HR-ICP-MS. The procedures were validated. Measurement uncertainties of all elements including sampling uncertainties were calculated by applying bottom-up approach. The average recoveries obtained for each element ranged between 79% and 129% using NIST SRM 1648, urban dust. The calculated uncertainties of the analytical methods were between 2.9% and 18% for both sample types. The major contributions to the uncertainty budget come from the calibration curves, repeatability and volume of air.     

Compound-specific bromine isotope analysis of methyl bromide using gas chromatography hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma multiple-collector mass spectrometry

Methyl bromide is the most important natural bromine contributor to stratospheric ozone depletion, yet there are still large uncertainties regarding quantification of its sources and sinks. The stable bromine isotope composition of CH₃Br is potentially a powerful tool to apportion its sources and to study both its transport and its reactive fate. A novel compound‐specific method to measure ⁸¹Br/⁷⁹Br isotope ratios in CH₃Br using gas chromatography hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma multiple‐collector mass spectrometry (GC/MCICPMS) was developed. Sample amounts of >40 ng could be measured with a precision of 0.1‰ (1σ, n = 3). The method results are reproducible over the long term as shown with 36 analyses acquired over 3 months, yielding a standard deviation (1σ) better than 0.4‰. This new method demonstrates for the first time Br isotope ratio determination in gaseous brominated samples. It is three orders of magnitude more sensitive than previously existing isotope ratio mass spectrometry methods for Br isotope determination of other organobromines, thus allowing applications towards ambient atmospheric samples. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.