Evaluation of a commercially available microconcentric nebulizer for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

The performance of a commercially available microconcentric nebulizer (MCN-100, CETAC Technologies, USA) operated at flow rates ranging from dO.001 up to 0.65 ml min-' was evaluated using a Perkin-Elmer Sciex ELAN 5000 ICP-mass spectrometer. The observations made were compared with those for the standard GemTip cross-flow nebulizer. Registration of signal behaviour plots (signal intensity as a function of the nebulizer gas flow rate) at different rf powers and at different sample uptake rates allowed firstly, a systematic optimization of the operation parameters, and secondly, a comparison of the signal behaviour observed when using both types of nebulizer. The stability of the MCN-100 was evaluated at different sample uptake rates and the Occurrence of memory effects was checked for a number of elements. Also, the level and the behaviour of oxide and doubly charged ions was studied. Furthermore, the susceptibility to matrix effects was investigated using synthetic matrices of different origin (acid, organic and high salt content) and it was demonstrated that, generally, matrix effects observed with both nebulizers are comparable and the MCN-100 can be used with NaCl concentrations up to 4 g I-' without capillary blocking. Finally, it is illustrated that the MCN-100 can be applied at sample flow rates of < 5 p1 min-', as are encountered when coupling capillary zone electrophoresis to ICP-MS for elemental speciation studies.

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

“…If the delivery rates take values below 30 µl/min, the MCN still gives stable signals while the standard cross-flow does not generate any analytical signal [53]. In agreement with these results, at a given liquid and nebulizer gas flow rate, the MCN leads to higher oxide ratios (UO The MCN appears to show a high tolerance to high dissolved solids [52,53].…”

“…Because the mass of solvent (or matrix) transported to the plasma is low, oxide levels in ICP-MS are much lower at low liquid flow rates than at higher ones [51], thus giving rise to higher ionization efficiencies [52,53]. ICP-MS matrix effects caused by the presence of ethanol in the solution are also mitigated at low liquid flow rates.…”

“…The suitability of pneumatic concentric micronebulizers for the analysis of microsamples has been demonstrated in ICP-AES as well as in ICP-MS [53,56,57]. Among pneumatic concentric micronebulizers we can find the MicroConcentric Nebulizer (MCN) [58] and the aforementioned HEN [27], MMN, and PFAN.…”

Determination of plutonium isotopes in waters and environmental solids: A review

“…However, in order to reduce the sample consumption and consequently minimize instrumental radioactivity contamination and reduce waste generation, high efficiency micronebulization might be hyphenated with ICP-MS for precise and accurate determination of ultra trace radionuclides as well as their isotopic ratios. Various low-consumption nebulisers, such as the microconcentric nebulizer (MCN) [102,103], the high efficiency nebulizer (HEN) [104][105][106][107][108][109], the direct injection nebulizer (DIN) [110][111][112], oscillating capillary nebulizer (OCN) [113,114] by using similar operation conditions for SF-ICP-MS but without application of Ar-N 2 mixed gas plasma [71]. However, the 241 Pu results had relatively large uncertainty if the intensity of signals is rather low.…”

High throughput sample introduction system for the analysis of drinking waters and wastewaters by ICP-MS

“…9 Microconcentric nebulizers (MCN) 10,11 were designed to improve the gas-liquid interaction and reduce the size distribution of droplets formed in the aerosol. 12,13 These nebulizers, which operate at lower sample flow rates compared to those typically used with pneumatic nebulizers, include: high efficiency nebulizers (HEN), 14,15 oscillating capillary nebulizers (OCN) 16,17 and sonic spray nebulizers (SSN).…”