Speed, Precision and Accuracy With Enhanced Mass Spectroscopy
Mass Spectroscopy is a method that helps to measure the charge to mass ratio of ions. The method primarily involves bombarding a sample with electrons to break it into fragments and using electric and magnetic fields to find out the desired result. The modern-day version of the process is undertaken by using inductively coupled plasma that has been developed through energy supplied by means of electromagnetic induction or in other words, through time-varying magnetic fields.
This version of the idea helps to detect the presence of any form of metal or non-metals in liquid samples. The key feature of this technology, also known as ICP MS, helps to identify isotopes of the same element present within a given substance. Thereby, it makes the task of isotope labeling quite futile. It is, however, essential to focus on some key technical concepts that help to make this idea so versatile and advanced and the reason it is used ahead of other methods.
#1 Enhanced ionization
This is a technology that uses Nitrogen or N2 as one of the primary gases to elevate the ionization process. The reason for using Nitrogen is that it helps to negate any kind of polyatomic interferences and thereby remove matrix effects. When two or more isotopes of different elements combine then it leads to polyatomic interference which can often lead to incorrect mass to charge ratio.
This specifically happens in the case of elements like Arsenic or Selenium and therefore the above-mentioned technique is crucial for analytical study. The method that is used focuses on increasing the nitrogen flow and thereby slowly bring in changes into the attributes of the plasma. It leads to the development of argon plasma and thereby leads to an enhanced density of electrons that in turn helps to reduce any form of oxide formation or negates any sort of interferences.
#2 Usage of Aerosol dilution
Modern-day ICP MS technology focuses on a concept called aerosol dilution. Whenever a substance is studied using the techniques mentioned, there is a pre-requisite that there should not be more than 0.2 gram of total dissolved solvents present per 100mL of the sample. This is the general limit, even though there might be changes depending on the matrix of the specimen that is being considered. The previous method often had a nebulizer that used to allow a sheath gas to flow at an optimized rated and thereby enhances the sensitivity of the study.
However, the issue with this method was that it led to the addition of total dissolved solvents which caused the formation of blockages to the interference cones, which in turn reduced sensitivity. The new method on the other hand allows for two gases to flow at reversed rates. This means that the formation of sample aerosol is reduced, leading to a much purer sheath gas which in turn when mixes with the nebulizer gas leads to a lower density of stray substances. This in turn allows for better sensitivity of the device.
End Note
Analysis of liquid solvents requires precision and the key facets mentioned above help to achieve it in abundance. It is important to understand that even though the new technology and the new concepts involved might sound complex, the idea mentioned above definitely helps to reduce the cost of analysis of samples. In summary, the benefits offered are definitely worth the complications involved, and getting hold of this brand new method will be an investment for the future.
