Single-particle ICP-MS with online microdroplet calibration: toward matrix independent nanoparticle sizing

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Date
2019-04-01Type
- Journal Article
Citations
Cited 31 times in
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Cited 36 times in
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Abstract
Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS) has become an effective tool for the detection and quantification of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs). While sizing of NPs suspended in water is relatively straightforward by sp-ICP-MS, accurate mass quantification of NPs in complex media, such as consumer products and natural systems still remains a challenge. When NPs are suspended in a complex medium, the matrix may affect the analyte sensitivity and lead to inaccurate NP sizing. Here, we investigate the use of an online microdroplet calibration system to size NPs in a single step. In this setup, microdroplets—which are used as the calibrant to determine elemental sensitivities—and nebulized NP-containing solutions are introduced concurrently into the ICP via a dual-inlet sample introduction system. Because calibrant microdroplets and analyte NPs experience the same plasma conditions, both the microdroplets and the NPs are subjected to the same matrix-related signal enhancement or suppression. In this way, the microdroplet calibration standards are automatically matrix matched with the NP-containing solution. The online microdroplet calibration system is combined with an ICP-TOFMS instrument for simultaneous measurement of multiple elements in microdroplets and NPs. We investigate the ability of online microdroplet calibration to compensate for matrix effects through a series of experiments, in which Ag and Au NPs are measured with variable plasma-sampling positions, varying concentrations of HCl and HNO3, varying concentrations of single element solutions, and high concentrations of a salt matrix, i.e. phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Through these experiments, we demonstrate that the online microdroplet calibration strategy provides a matrix-independent mass quantification of analyte NPs in the presence of several established types of matrix effects, including acid effects, space-charge effects, and ionisation suppression. In results presented here, we focus on the size determination of the NPs. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000319288Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Journal of Analytical Atomic SpectrometryVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Royal Society of ChemistryOrganisational unit
03512 - Günther, Detlef / Günther, Detlef
08826 - Grass, Robert (Tit.-Prof.)
03673 - Stark, Wendelin J. / Stark, Wendelin J.
Funding
162870 - Inductively coupled plasma time of flight mass spectrometry for analysis of discrete samples (SNF)
174061 - Toward High-Throughput Quantitative Analysis of Nanoparticle Pollution in Environmental Samples (SNF)
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Citations
Cited 31 times in
Web of Science
Cited 36 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics