6: Inductively Coupled Plasma: Mass Spectrometry Check Access

This chapter covers inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Many of the problems associated with ICP–OES are equally applicable to ICP–MS. The reader should therefore read the ICP–OES chapter to understand that the sample introduction system is often one of the main sources of error. A brief introduction is followed by the advantages and disadvantages section. The problems and errors sub-section covers those discussed in the ICP–OES chapter and presents more that are common to many ICP–MS instrument types. The hints and tips section discusses the performance report that is usually obtained before an analysis and helps indicate that sufficient sensitivity is being obtained, interferences are sufficiently low and that spectral resolution is acceptable. Also discussed in this chapter are the introduction of organic solvents and the use of collision/reaction cell gases to minimise interferences. A hints and tips section discusses some of the main topics of research, e.g. the analysis of single nanoparticles. Also discussed is the use of internal standards and speciation analysis. Different instrumental configurations, i.e. single quadrupole, triple quadrupole and multi-collector instruments are all discussed, giving an overview of each and the problems that may be encountered. A final section on data analysis is also included.