Hydride generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection of lead compounds separated by liquid chromatography

Abstract

A preliminary study of a hydride generation (HG) system as the sample introduction device for an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system is described. Samples containing ionic lead compounds were subjected to chromatographic separation before injection into the hydride generator. The species studied included inorganic lead (Pb^II), trimethyllead and triethyllead. The sensitivity, detection limits and repeatability of the liquid chromatography (LC) ICP-MS system with a hydride generator were comparable to, or better than, those of an LC–ICP-MS system with conventional pneumatic nebulization or other sample introduction techniques. The limits of detection for various lead species were in the range 0.6–6 ng l^–1 of lead based on peak area. The concentration of lead compounds in the National Institute of Standards and Technology Standard Reference Material was determined. Lead(II) was the only species in this sample. The results obtained agreed with the certified value.