ICP and ICP-MS at ASL

 

Equipment Manager: Saman (1-5514)
Trainers: Mary and Tina

Which ICP should I be using?

The ICP-AES and the ICP-MS differ in two important ways: sensitivity and sample preparation.

Sensitivity

While the ICP-AES works ideally between the range of 1ppb-100ppm, the ICP-MS operates between 1ppt and 100ppb. Note that there is a considerable overlap in range (see diagram below). Please select the instrument most suited to your purposes.

Sample Preparation

Organic Solvents cannot be used on either ICP. However, with proper notification, the ICP-AES (but NOT the ICP-MS) can run samples in Hydrofluoric acid.

INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA SPECTROMETER

Basic ICP-AES use manual

ICP is used for elemental analysis of most metals, sulfur and phosphorous in concentrations down to the ppb level. ICP offers a number of advantages over atomic absorption spectrometry: 1) a greater number of elements can be determined, 2) an array of elements can be analyzed essentially simultaneously, and 3) a wider dynamic range of concentration can be determined for each element.

We have a Varian model ICP Spectrometer. It can cover the spectral range from 175-785nm. This means that elements with emission lines in the far UV, such as sulfur, phosphorous, and aluminum can be detected and determined.

Samples must be prepared in a particle-free liquid. It is possible to analyze samples in some organic matrices and in aqueous matrices containing corrosive materials, such as hydrofluoric acid. However, the use of these matrices requires special instrument setups and should be approved by the staff.

The specifications of the instrument are:
Wavelength range: 175-785 nm
Resolution: 
0.008 nm @ 160-335 nm
0.015 nm @ 335-670 nm
0.040 nm @ 670-850 nm
Detection limits: ppb range (by element by weight)

This instrument is controlled through a NEC 30 microcomputer (IBM PS2 clone) capable of storing analysis procedures and data, and capable of transferring them to the built-in spreadsheet on any other PC.

 

ICP-MS SPECTROMETER

This instrument is a VG PQ ExCell model. It can detect in concentrations down to the ppt level.

Samples must be in a particle-free aqueous solution! If you are analyzing a sample in an organic matrix or in hydrofluoric acid, you CANNOT use this instrument

The specifications of this instrument are:

Sensitivity: 3*107 cps/ppm

Limits of Detection: 1ppt

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