Comparison of Laser Ablation and Dried Solution Aerosol as Sampling Systems in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

This paper describes a study designed to determine the possibility of using a dried aerosol solution for calibration in laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The relative sensitivities of tested materials mobilized by laser ablation and by aqueous nebulization were established, and the experimentally determined relative sensitivity factors (RSFs) were used in conjunction with aqueous calibration for the analysis of solid steel samples. To such a purpose a set of CRM carbon steel samples (SS-451/1 to SS-460/1) were sampled into an ICP-MS instrument by solution nebulization using a microconcentric nebulizer with membrane desolvating (D-MCN) and by laser ablation (LA). Both systems were applied with the same ICP-MS operating parameters and the analyte signals were compared. The RSF (desolvated aerosol response/ablated solid response) values were close to 1 for the analytes Cr, Ni, Co, V, and W, about 1.3 for Mo, and 1.7 for As, P, and Mn. Complementary tests were carried out using CRM SS-455/1 as a solid standard for one-point calibration, applying LAMTRACE software for data reduction and quantification. The analytical results are in good agreement with the certified values in all cases, showing that the applicability of dried aerosol solutions is a good alternative calibration system for laser ablation sampling.

Sample introduction systems for the analysis of liquid microsamples by ICP-AES and ICP-MS

“…This assembly was also applied to conduct quantitative analysis with laser ablation. The sample was ablated with the laser beam, whereas standards were introduced via either the Aridus TM [181] or the MCN6000 [186]. By working in this way, the thermal characteristics of plasma were matched for these sample introduction methods because in both cases dry plasma conditions were achieved.…”

Application of Laser Ablation ICP Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Oxide Particles on Cross Section of Alloys and Steels

“…Other candidates for the rapid analysis of inclusion particles on a surface of steel sample are a Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (LA-ICP-AES) and a Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). In recent years, the LA-ICP-MS was applied for the direct analysis of steels and alloys concerning to the determination of the bulk composition, [5][6][7][8] the content of soluble and insoluble elements 7,8) the spatial and surface distribution of elements in steels and alloys, 8,9) and the mapping analysis of inclusions. [10][11][12][13][14] In this study, the LA-ICP-MS method is applied for the estimation of oxide particles containing Al2O3, MgO and other oxides on the cross section of Fe-10 mass% Ni alloy.…”

Synthetic Samples Preparation to Identify Al2O3 Particles in Steel by Laser Ablation ICP Mass Spectrometry

“…2) It was successfully applied to the direct analysis of steel composition [3][4][5][6] and to the depth profile of different coatings on steel substrate. [7][8][9][10] The real advantage, however, is the ability of the technique to provide information on spatial distribution in all three dimensions, dealing with inhomogeneous samples.…”