Feasibility of solid sample introduction by slurry nebulisation for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

Three certified reference material soils and three industrial catalysts (mixed oxide, zeolite and chromium oxide) have been analysed by slurry nebulisation-ICP-MS and the results compared with those obtained by slurry nebulisation-ICP-AES and conventional procedures. The finely ground samples (particle size <3 µm) were dispersed in tetrasodium pyrophosphate solution and aspirated using a Babington-type nebuliser. Slurry concentrations of 0.05 g per 100 ml were used for the ICP-MS work and no cone blocking effects were observed. Calibration was with simple aqueous standards. Agreement between values obtained by slurry nebulisation and other techniques, or certificate values, was good for all elements (11) studied except Al. For Al, slurry nebulisation-ICP-MS results were ca. 10% low. The very high sensitivity of slurry nebulisation-ICP-MS was demonstrated by the semi-quantitative analysis of rare earth elements in soils. Clearly the method has considerable potential.