Evaluation of a Collision-Reaction Interface (CRI) for Carbon Effect Correction on Chromium Determination in Environmental Samples by ICP-MS

• Published in: Analytical letters Vol. 45; no. 18; pp. 2845 - 2855
• Main Authors: Bianchi, Silmara Rossana, Amais, Renata Stabíle, Pereira, Catarinie Diniz, Salazar, Rodrigo Fernando Santos, Nóbrega, Joaquim Araújo, Nogueira, Ana Rita Araújo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Taylor & Francis Group 30-11-2012; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Analysis methods; Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Carbon induced interferences; Chemistry; Collision-reaction interface (CRI); Exact sciences and technology; Global environmental pollution; Molecular ions; Pollution; Polyatomic interferences; Spectrometric and optical methods; Wastes; Background concentration; Performance evaluation; Ammonium; Hydrogen; Check; Inductive coupling plasma spectrometry; Sewage sludge; Quadrupole spectrometer; Signal; Gas flow; Carbon induced interferences; Collision-reaction interface (CRI); Polyatomic interferences; Trace analysis; Coupled method; Sample; Interference; Sequential extraction; Acetate; Digestion; Lake sediments; Molecular ions; Carbon; Certified reference material; Trace element; Sampler; Chromium; Environment; Parameter; Feasibility; Acetic acid; Mass spectrometry; Interface
• ISSN: 0003-2719; 1532-236X
• DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2012.702176

Spectral interferences in inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) may affect several trace element analyses. In this work, the performance of a collision-reaction interface (CRI) for correction of spectral interferences on chromium determination at m/z 52 affected by
40
Ar
12
C
+
in a rich-carbon medium was evaluated. Hydrogen or He gases were introduced through sampler or skimmer cones of the CRI for promoting collisions and reactions. Background equivalent concentrations (BEC) and signal-background ratios (SBR) were the chosen parameters for evaluating CRI performance. It was observed that the introduction of both gases through the sampler cone was not effective considering the maximum gas flow rate evaluated at 140 mL min
−1
. The best condition to reduce polyatomic interferences caused by carbon containing species was obtained while introducing 60 mL min
−1
of H
2
through the skimmer cone. The trueness of the developed procedure was checked by
52
Cr
+
determination in certified reference materials. Sequential extractions in acetic acid and ammonium acetate (carbon sources) media, according to the Bureau Communautaire de Référence (BCR) of the Commission of the European Communities, was employed for BCR 701 (Lake Sediment) and microwave-assisted digestion was applied for Sewage Sludge from Industrial Origin (BCR 146 R). The feasibility of the CRI to overcome spectral interferences caused by molecular ions containing carbon on
52
Cr
+
determined by ICP-MS was demonstrated.