The potential and challenges of elemental speciation by capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and electrospray or ion spray mass spectrometry

Abstract

Capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS) and electrospray (ES) or ion spray (IS) mass spectrometry (MS) are recently introduced techniques for elemental speciation. Both techniques have the potential for rapid elemental speciation with low detection limits. Examples of the use of CE-ICP-MS for elemental speciation of positive, neutral and negative species are discussed. Issues in interfacing CE and ICP-MS are considered briefly. The potential advantages and disadvantages of laminar flow in CE-ICP-MS are examined. Potential difficulties in CE-ICP-MS including loss of sample, chemical matrix effects and changes in speciation during separation are discussed. The interpretation of ES or IS-MS spectra and analysis of complex mixtures are considered. Calibration and chemical matrix effects are assessed. Potential pitfalls of interpreting bare metal ion spectra as elemental analysis are discussed. The need for fundamental understanding of the processes that control ES and IS-MS signals is examined. High conductivity samples currently present difficulties for CE-ICP-MS or ES and IS-MS.