Improved performance of a shielded torch using ethanol in inductively coupled plasma–sector field mass spectrometry

Abstract

To improve the accuracy and precision of trace element analysis, higher analytical sensitivity and lower interference are required. In this study, we investigated the effects of the addition of ethanol in combination with a shielded torch on the signal intensities of elements from 7Li to 238U, oxide yields, doubly charged ion yields, isobaric interferences and ion distributions in inductively coupled plasma–sector field mass spectrometry (ICP–SFMS). For the 39 investigated elements in this study, using the shielded torch increases the sensitivity by a factor of 17–58. The well-known drawback of using a shielded torch is that it will increase the oxide yield. In this study, the CeO+/Ce+ ratio is increased by a factor of 3.3 in the GE-on mode compared to that in the GE-off mode at normal conditions (without ethanol). In the GE-on mode, the addition of 4% ethanol in ICP–SFMS is found not only to decrease the CeO+/Ce+ ratio by a factor of 4 but also to suppress the Ce2+/Ce+ ratio by a factor of 4.2. In large contrast, the effect of 2–6% ethanol on the oxide yield and doubly charged ratio is minimal in the GE-off mode. Except for As, Se, Sb, Te and Au, for which the signal intensities are increased by a factor of 1.4–3.7 in the presence of 2–6% ethanol, an increased concentration of ethanol suppresses intensities of other elements. In the GE-off mode, the suppression of the analyte signal due to increased ethanol concentration is more significant than that in the GE-on mode. Compared to the spatial profiles of the ion distributions in the normal mode (without ethanol), the addition of 2–4% ethanol leads to significantly wider axial and radial profiles. The significantly wider axial and radial ion distribution had a dilution effect on the ion densities, which subsequently reduced the ion signal intensities. The addition of 4% ethanol was also found to suppress the interferences of Xe by a factor of 2.8 and increase the sensitivity of Te determination in ICP–SFMS by a factor of 2.1 relative to the values obtained in conventional 2% (v/v) HNO3 solution at the corresponding optimum operating conditions in the GE-on mode. The addition of 4% ethanol in combination with the GE-on mode was successfully applied to the direct determination of nanogram levels of Te in a series of geological reference materials.