Application of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to the certification of reference materials from the Community Bureau of Reference

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is widely used for applied analysis. The application of a method to the certification of reference materials is a severe test of its accuracy and precision. We have been using ICP-MS for the certification of Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) reference materials since 1988. This paper indicates that while the method proved to be potentially accurate and precise, accuracy and precision cannot be taken for granted and that each analysis requires a thorough study in order to obtain results that meet BCR standards. Under these conditions however ICP-MS can compete with well established reference techniques such as neutron activation analysis

Capabilities of ICP-MS for trace element analysis in body fluids and tissues. Proc. 6th Workshop of Trace Elements in Analytical Chemistry in Medicine and Biology, 1994,55-72. Eds P.Bratter, B.Ribas, P.Schramel.

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Chemistry education in Flanders: from a strictly concept based curriculum towards a more inquiry-based curriculum

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Thermospray nebulization as sample introduction for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A sample introduction system, consisting of a thermospray nebulizer and a desolvating unit, was coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Several parameters were optimized including the sample uptake rate, the power delivered to the capillary tube, the temperature of the aerosol and of the cooling-water, the carrier gas flow rate and the r.f. power. Under optimized conditions, the sensitivity obtained with the thermospray system is a factor of 10 higher than with a pneumatic nebulizer combined with a spray chamber. The increase was observed for the following elements over the whole mass range: Be, Al, Sc, Co, In, Gd, Tl, Th and U. Since similar background levels, 10-40 counts s-1, were observed, better detection limits could be achieved (from 0.19 ng l-1 for U to 1.3 ng l-1 for Be). The relative standard deviation (RSD) on analyte signals for a short-term stability test (10 min) is between 3 and 8%. These values can be improved to less than 4% by the use of internal standardization. No drift in analyte signal during several hours was observed. The levels of oxide (MO+:M+) and doubly charged (M2+:M+) ions obtained with the thermospray system are about a factor of 2.5 lower than those obtained with the pneumatic system. Consequently, the oxide ion levels for elements with the highest MO bond strength and the doubly charged ion levels for elements with the lowest second ionization energy are not above 1%