Application of a novel iminodiacetate chelating material to automated matrix separation for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

A novel iminodiacetate chelating reagent immobilized onto a controlled pore glass support has been tested as a reagent for trace element matrix separation, prior to analysis by ICP-MS. A commercial automated system was employed in the study. The reagent has been shown to be effective for the analysis of effluent samples at a sampling frequency of 10 h^–1. Calibrations from pure and saline solutions showed good linearity and compared well, showing that retention of the selected analytes was unaffected by the matrix. In order to remove residual matrix elements from the column after sample loading a short buffer wash was found to be necessary. The effectiveness of the matrix separation process was illustrated in terms of the ⁶³Cu: ⁶⁵Cu ratio. This is abnormally high if sodium is present in the plasma, owing to formation of the ⁴⁰Ar²³Na⁺ interference, and is shown in this study to remain unaltered for saline samples after matrix separation. Initial capacity and recovery data for copper are also shown for the material.