Getting trace compound detection right means having complete confidence in your sample preparation, measurement processes, and the purity of any chemical used. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a highly sensitive analysis technique often favored for detecting trace elements that act as pollutants in the environment.
With sensitivities extending to the nanomolar range, ICP-MS is an ideal technique for trace elemental analysis of a wide range of species. The challenge is that while such sensitivity is desirable for sample analysis, it also means the measurements are highly sensitive to any type of contamination or residual traces of other chemical species.
Achieving the best detection limits in many analytical methods, including ICP-MS, means a rigorous equipment cleaning process. However, with the incorrect choice of rinse solutions, including inappropriate use of acids, it is possible to have ICP ‘washout’ issues where the rinse solution can introduce unexpected interferences or cause contaminant leaching from the equipment.
Analytical Standards
The use of certified reference materials, or analytical standards, in analytical chemistry is essential for ensuring equipment performance is compliant with regulatory standards. Analytical standards make it possible to calculate the instrument response over certain ranges, such as high or low concentrations. Therefore, analytical standards are an important part of any protocol, and the right analytical standards are essential for calculating correct sample concentrations and generating precise and accurate measurements.
How can analytical standards be used to help with ICP washout problems? Inorganic Ventures, experts in providing certified analytical standards and reference materials, offer a range of standard washout rinse solutions.
Combining the precision of analytical standards with the proper washout rinse solutions can be an excellent way of ensuring your equipment stays clean and contaminant free. Many elements measured in ICP-MS are ‘sticky’, in particular species like boron and mercury. This stickiness means they can be hard to remove with standard cleaning procedures or require long washout times, which is detrimental to the productivity of an instrument.
Washout Solutions
With analytical standard washout solutions, you can use precisely the right concentration of different acidic or other chemical species you need. A slight variation of just 0.5 % may make the difference for a rinse solution being suitable for an ICP-MS.
Opting for analytical standard quality rinse solutions prepared by the experts at Inorganic Ventures can ensure the best performance and help accelerate rinse testing. Finding optimal rinse solutions is dependent on which elements are being tested and what order samples are being run in.
Analytical standard rinse solutions come with another advantage: they can be run as samples to evaluate machine performance. Many ICP-MS instruments have some form of online analysis for contamination monitoring but also rely on the periodic checking of sample blanks.
Using analytical standard blanks makes it possible to be confident in even small variations in the count rate from a ‘clean instrument’. The deviation in measurements of the analytical standard blanks makes it possible to work out whether a cleaning process is still effective or whether its effectiveness is changing over time, thus requiring a more robust cleaning process.
Contact Inorganic Ventures today to find out how their analytical standards can improve your ICP-MS measurements, instrument maintenance, and measurement confidence.
References and Further Reading
1. Wilschefski, S. C., & Baxter, M. R. (2019). Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: Introduction to Analytical Aspects. Clinical Biochemist Reviews, 40(3), 115–133. https://doi.org/10.33176/AACB-19-00024