Versatile Dual-Inlet Sample Introduction System for Multi-Mode Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Analysis and Validation

Metal-containing nanoparticles (NP) can be characterized with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICP-MS) in terms of their size and number concentration by using the single-particle mode of the instrument (spICP-MS). The accuracy of measurement depends on the setup, operational conditions of the instrument and specific parameters that are set by the user. The transport efficiency of the ICP-MS is crucial for the quantification of the NP and usually requires a reference material with homogenous size distribution and a known particle number concentration.

Currently, NP reference materials are available for only a few metals and in limited sizes. If particles are characterized without a reference standard, the results of both size and particle number may be biased. Therefore, a dual-inlet setup for characterizing nanoparticles with spICP-MS was developed to overcome this problem. This setup is based on a conventional introduction system consisting of a pneumatic nebulizer (PN) for nanoparticle solutions and a microdroplet generator (µDG) for ionic calibration solutions. A new and flexible interface was developed to facilitate the coupling of µDG, PN and the ICP-MS system. The interface consists of available laboratory components and allows for the calibration, nanoparticle (NP) characterization and cleaning of the arrangement, while the ICP-MS instrument is still running.

Three independent analysis modes are available for determining particle size and number concentration. Each mode is based on a different calibration principle. While mode I (counting) and mode III (µDG) are known from the literature, mode II (sensitivity), is used to determine the transport efficiency by inorganic ionic standard solutions only. It is independent of NP reference materials. The µDG based inlet system described here guarantees superior analyte sensitivities and, therefore, lower detection limits (LOD). The size dependent LODs achieved are less than 15 nm for all NP (Au, Ag, CeO₂) investigated.