Continuous Hydride Generation for Simultaneous Multielement Detection with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

A continuous hydride generation system is described for sample introduction to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The system allows for the simultaneous determination of hydride-forming elements with elements which do not form volatile hydrides. Detection limits for volatile hydrides show an improvement of one order of magnitude over results for conventional sample introduction employing pneumatic nebulization. Calibration plots for volatile-hydride-forming elements are linear over 2 to 3.5 orders of magnitude, and relative standard deviations are generally less than 5% over a 30-minute period. The accuracy of the technique is demonstrated by the analyses of two commercial reference materials.

Methodologies for determination of antimony in terrestrial environmental samples

“…However, ef®cient hydride generation is often problematic, and interference effects from a high background signal, severe memory effects and plasma instability are commonly encountered. 22,24,31 These effects result from matrix ions in the sample solution, chemical reagents for hydride generation and the adhesion of antimony to the inner surfaces of glass components inside the instrument. Problems with matrix ions and memory effects can be reduced by the use of sample preparation techniques as described above and allowing longer washout times between consecutive samples.…”

Determination of arsenic by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using headspace liquid phase microextraction after in situ hydride generation

“…Some important techniques include hydride generation spectrophotometry, 2 hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS), [4][5][6] hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS), 7 hydride generation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (HG-ICP-AES) [8][9][10] and hydride generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HG-ICP-MS). 11,12 Studies have been made to further increase the sensitivity of the methods. For example improvement in sensitivity has been achieved by addition of surfactants.…”

A novel device for gas-phase sample introduction into microwave plasma: Lateral Sample Introduction

“…This drawback can be overcome when working with gas or vapour samples, as sample introduction techniques have been developed with this purpose. 1,2,3,4 The production of volatile species from solutions has proven an effective mean of analyte preconcentration, and sample introduction by covalent hydride generation (HG) is the most extensively-used gas-phase sample introduction technique for the determination of elements capable of forming volatile covalent hydrides 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 such as arsenic, bismuth, germanium, lead, cadmium, tin, antimony,etc. The main advantage of hydride generation for AES arises from the very high transport efficiency of analytes, which are injected into the excitation source along with other reaction by-products (typically H 2 , H 2 O and CO 2 ).…”