Comparison of interface cones for analysis of sodium-rich samples using quadrupole ICP-MS†
Abstract
This study compares analytical figures of merit such as sensitivity, background, % 140Ce16O+/140Ce+, 40Ar16O+, time dependent and
% 140Ce16O+/140Ce+ varied considerably with depth of sampling and were much higher in the HPI cone than in the Xi cone at large depths of sampling. Na-induced variations were mass dependent and larger in the Xi cone than in the HPI cone, amounting to about 25 and 60%, respectively. Long-term variations for 250 min amounted to about 10 and 25%, respectively. It is concluded that the HPI cone when coupled to a robust ICP (power > 1.3 kW, nebulizer gas flow rate < 0.85 L min−1) is more suited for routine analysis of environmental samples. However, in cases where