By BioNanoNet
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) has already proven to be an elegant technique for the determination of metallic NPs. The major advantages of this technique is the selectivity, matrix tolerance, and wide dynamic range. Especially the compound independent quantification is of importance when real samples have to be analyzed. Single nanoparticle analysis by ICPMS is applicable for many metallic or metal containing nanoparticles. Modern instruments have short dwell times (< 100 μs) and therefore a high signal to noise ratio, which results in excellent detection limits. From the results, different features of the NPs (such as concentration, diameter, composition and size distribution) can be calculated. We have two single quadrupole ICPMS and one triple quadrupole ICPMS for these analysis. Especially triple quadrupole ICPMS can be used for detection of NPs that contain elements that a prone to spectroscopic interferences, such as sulfur or titanium. We have also developed chromatographic separation methods that allow the separation of the NPs from the ionic forms of an element. Together with the knowledge about the total concentration of an element the concentration of the NPs in a sample can be calculated. For this purpose, HPLC with different chromatographic conditions is employed to separate the NPs. The effluent of the chromatographic system is directly coupled to ICPMS which serves as an element-selective detector. Reference publications: (1) Hassellöv, Martin, et al. “Nanoparticle analysis and characterisation methodologies in environmental risk assessment of engineered nanoparticles.” Ecotoxicology 17.5 (2008): 344-361. (2) Fabricius, Anne-Lena, et al. “ICP-MS-based characterisation of inorganic nanoparticles—sample preparation and off-line fractionation strategies.” Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 406.2 (2014): 467-479.
