Issue 7, 2022

Exploring the boundaries in the analysis of large particles by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: application to nanoclays

Abstract

The analysis of microparticles by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) requires sample introduction systems that guarantee transport efficiencies similar to those obtained with dissolved standards across the size range covered. The utilization of a nebulisation system based on a linear pass spray chamber and a micronebuliser is discussed and optimized for the introduction of large inorganic particles. Limitations caused by incomplete ionisation or the counting limit of detectors affecting particle size characterisation are also considered. The procedure developed has been applied to the characterisation of suspensions of a natural clay (kaolinite), with a thickness in the range of a few nanometers and lateral dimensions up to 1 μm. The application of different sensitivity conditions by the modification of the ion transmission allowed us to cover the whole size range of the suspension monitoring the 27Al isotope and achieve a quantitative mass recovery with respect to ICP-MS analysis. Finally, the migration of nanoclays (montmorillonite) from food containers and their detection by SP-ICP-MS are presented. The results have been compared to those obtained by TEM, showing that nanoclays migrated from the containers into water.

Graphical abstract: Exploring the boundaries in the analysis of large particles by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: application to nanoclays

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 Sun 2022
Accepted
26 Mud 2022
First published
27 Mud 2022

J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2022,37, 1501-1511

Exploring the boundaries in the analysis of large particles by single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: application to nanoclays

D. Ojeda, E. Bolea, J. Pérez-Arantegui and F. Laborda, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2022, 37, 1501 DOI: 10.1039/D2JA00026A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements