Survey analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry without the use of standard reference materials

Abstract

The reference-free analysis of a standard solution containing 21 elements was performed on an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The relative sensitivity coefficients of the elements were calculated taking into account the absolute electronegativities of atoms in accordance with the new approach that was developed previously for single-element solutions. The accuracy was evaluated. The results obtained using the new approach were compared with the data calculated by the Saha–Eggert equation and a quasi-equilibrium model, which use ionization potentials.