Frequently Asked Questions

While I'm running a batch and doing the initial tune batch there isn't any counts being read for any of my mass's. However under the Tune tab after adjusting the He Flow to 0 I start to read counts for the elements , but once I adjust it back up it reads 0 again. I have checked if sample introduction is the source of the problem, I have cleaned and checked the nebulizer, lines, tuning solutions and that seems to be running fine. I believe my problem lies somewhere else. I have an Agilent 7800 ICP-MS.

I daily use some costume made solutions from IV, both as stock solutions and also special ones for matrix-matched calibrations. We have different sample types from research campaigns at our site, and for a new project I need a control solution as an extra calibration control. Is it possible to order both a stock solution (for my calibration standards) with the actual elements at the same (?) concentration levels - and also a costume made solution with accurate individual concentration of the elements which might be used as a quality solution for my verification of a method, as an CRM, or would you recommend anything else? My supplier here in Norway have tried to understand what I was asking for, and the IV- samples Matriks-199 and Matriks-200 are based on this. But I am not sure if that is what I want.

Will there be any difference in results if let's say, I use a inorganic standard that was previously prepared in 8% HNO3 vs the same inorganic standard but prepared in matrix 5% HNO3 ?

Do you know how to measure the make up and carrier gas flow used in the sample introduction?. Our instrument is Agilent 7800 ICP-MS

Hi, we have an ICP-MS 7800 and was running normally until a routine service was done. Nebulizer and chamber were cleaned by following Agilent Instructions. When we started the instrument an error appeared indicating poor sensitivity. We prepared new tune solution (1ppb) and check masses, but the problem persist. No leaks were detected. Your guidance will be appreciated.

How many mL of 1 ppm of gold (as AuCl3) should I add to 100mL of sample to stabilize Hg?

Not sure where to start with this one! We are transitioning from an ICP to an ICPMS. During the initial stages we developed our method and ran everything pretty much the same as on the ICP. Then we noticed that the translation didn't always produce the results we needed. We have since tweaked out method but are having problems with Antimony and Molybdenum. Sb is a problem child for our wastewater samples and Mo is for our sludge samples. I do not think that this is an instrumentation issue but more so one of lack of understanding as well as issues with our matrix/digestion processes (our undigested calibration curve standards look great). Our standards are all made up with a matrix of 1% Nitric/0.5% HCl. When we digest our water samples we use 50 mL of sample and .5mL of HNO3 and .25 mL of HCl and heat for 3.5 hours then bring to a 50 mL volume. With sludge samples we use 5 g of solid and bring that to a 50 mL volume, add 3.0 mLs of HNO3 and heat for 4.5 hours then add 2.0 mL of H2O2 and heat an additional 30 minutes before cooling and bringing back up to 50 mL. If anyone has any suggestions on what we should to it would be greatly appreciated. I myself am new to the ICPMS world and can use any and all the help that I can get.

Not sure where to start with this one! We are transitioning from an ICP to an ICPMS. During the initial stages we developed our method and ran everything pretty much the same as on the ICP. Then we noticed that the translation didn't always produce the results we needed. We have since tweaked out method but are having problems with Antimony and Molybdenum. Sb is a problem child for our wastewater samples and Mo is for our sludge samples. I do not think that this is an instrumentation issue but more so one of lack of understanding as well as issues with our matrix/digestion processes (our undigested calibration curve standards look great). Our standards are all made up with a matrix of 1% Nitric/0.5% HCl. When we digest our water samples we use 50 mL of sample and .5mL of HNO3 and .25 mL of HCl and heat for 3.5 hours then bring to a 50 mL volume. With sludge samples we use 5 g of solid and bring that to a 50 mL volume, add 3.0 mLs of HNO3 and heat for 4.5 hours then add 2.0 mL of H2O2 and heat an additional 30 minutes before cooling and bringing back up to 50 mL. If anyone has any suggestions on what we should to it would be greatly appreciated. I myself am new to the ICPMS world and can use any and all the help that I can get.

Dea sirs, Thank you for the great online guides and research papers. They are extremely informative. In part 6 of the ICP Operations Guide, Dr. Paul Gaines mentions the use of triethanolamine to neutralize HF. Can you or anybody else provide more detail? For example, how much TEOA should one use after digestion with HF/HNO3? Also, what is the addition of H4EDTA for and is it necessary? Thank you for any assistance.

I am writing to get your input on the role of gold towards the stabilization of mercury. In the following link and subsequent EPA report it states that gold acts as a stabilizer for mercury. Can you please suggest if there are any ratios (either atomic or %) between Hg and Au to achieve maximum stability without the addition of too much Au? https://www.inorganicventures.com/sites/default/files/mercury_preservation_techniques.pdf Our range of Hg measurement is 0.05-20 ppb (ng/mL) for samples subjected to a 250 deg C microwave digestion at 40 bar pressure. Thank you, Looking forward to hearing from you.