Influence of sample matrix components on the selection of calibration strategies in electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

Quantification of both digested and slurry samples were studied using ultrasonic slurry electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (USS-ETV-ICP-MS). The results of external calibration using aqueous standards, method of additions, and In as an internal standard were compared. The elements studied include: Mn, Ni and Cu and the materials analyzed include: NIST SRM 1548 total diet and SRM 1549 milk powder. Palladium was used as a physical carrier and oxygen ashing was used to remove the organic part of the slurry matrix. Different degrees of matrix suppression effects were observed when different skimmer cones were employed. Aging of the skimmer cone and consequent loss of its original circular symmetry and decrease in orifice size resulted in differences in sampling of the ion beam and changes in the degree of matrix effects were observed as the skimmer cone was rotated. The presence of matrix suppression effects is evidenced by strong suppressions in the Ar 2, C and analyte signals. When matrix suppression effects were present, the method of external calibration provided low recoveries (average accuracy 73 ± 12%), therefore it was necessary to use the method of additions to compensate for these problems, providing an average accuracy of 108 ± 13%. When matrix effects were absent, the external calibration method resulted in an average accuracy of 101 ± 16%.