Multi-elemental analysis of high-purity molybdenum by electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

High purity molybdenum and its compounds are used for the synthesis of ionizing radiation detectors for search for dark matter and double beta decay. Properties of these detectors largely depend on their trace composition. The new mass-spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) and electrothermal vaporization (ETV) method was developed for the analysis of high-purity molybdenum. The samples were introduced into the ICP using the ETV device. The vaporization curves of matrix element (molybdenum) and trace elements were studied in detail. The dependence of analytical signal and limits of detection (LODs) of analytes versus ETV-ICP-MS instrumental parameters (ICP power, transport flow, ion optics settings) was established. The proposed method of ETV-ICP-MS analysis allowed us to control the content of 28 trace elements in high-purity molybdenum with a purity of 6N (99.9999% wt.) and provided LODs from 0.3 to 200 ng g-1. Using of ETV for ICP-MS analysis of molybdenum led to decreasing of the LODs of trace elements from 3 to 200 times comparing with ICP-MS analysis with standard sample introduction system. The validation of proposed ETV-ICP-MS method was performed by spike experiment and by comparing the results of ETV-ICP-MS, ICP-MS, and atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal vaporization (GFAAS) analysis.

Fast and Sensitive Determination of Cadmium and Selenium in Rice by Direct Sampling Electrothermal Vaporization Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

“…When selenium and cadmium are detected by ICP-MS, they are susceptible to interference by double-charged ions, interfering elements such as Zn and Ca, and some oxides such as MoO and NbO. The development of multiple reaction modes for ICP-MS/MS is very effective for eliminating interference [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]; however, this does not work well for ETV mainly due to the short appearance time of elemental signal peaks after a fast vaporization process. Furthermore, the interference of moisture and organic substances can be removed via the drying and ashing process [ 17 ].…”

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in the analysis of metals, chemicals and materials

“…A paper by Medvedev et al described the ICP-MS and ETV-ICP-MS determination of trace analytes in high-purity tungsten 55 and molybdenum. 56 For ICP-MS analysis, sample (0.3 g with 99.999% purity) was dissolved and the resulting solution analysed directly. A total of 54 analytes were determined with LOD ranging from 0.4 to 3000 ng g −1 .…”

Elemental Probe-Based CRISPR/Cas12a Biosensing For Sensitive Tobramycin Detection

“…26 For the advantages of high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, especially multi-component quantification ability, 27 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has fantastic potential in metal element detection. [28][29][30][31] With applying the strategy of element labeling, [32][33] the sensitivity of ICP-MS 34 is well integrated into our biosensor. 35 Our work confirms that this biosensing method can meet the requirements for trace concentration TOB detection, and has the potential for the detection of a variety of antibiotics and other targets with corresponding aptamers.…”