This document provides an overview of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). ICP-MS uses a plasma to atomize and ionize elemental samples and then a mass spectrometer to separate and detect ions to determine elemental composition. Key components include the sample introduction system, plasma torch, mass filter, and detector. ICP-MS can detect over 70 elements at very low concentrations (parts-per-trillion levels) and is widely used in applications like semiconductor analysis, biological research, and geochemistry. Limitations include potential matrix effects and polyatomic interferences.

1. Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry
(ICP-MS)
Presented by :-
Prof. Anup A. Patil.
(Dept. of Pharmacology)
GIPER,LIMB,SATARA.

2. Contents:-
 Short about mass spectrometry
 Introduction
 Instrumentation
 Working of ICP- MS
 Limitations
 Applications

3. What is Mass spectrometry ?
 It is the most accurate method for
determination of Molecular mass of compound
and its elemental composition.
 Which can provide information concerning the
molecular structure of organic and inorganic
compounds.

4. 
 The mass spectrometer is an instrument in
which substance in gaseous or vapour state
(pressure between10-7
to 10-5
mm of Hg) is
bombarded with beam of electrons(70ev) to
form a positively charged ions(cations) which
are further sorted to mass to charge ratio to
record their masses and relative abundance.
Mass spectrometry

5. All mass spectrometers consist of three
basic parts:
 Ion source
 Mass analyzer
 Detector system

6. Stages within the mass spectrometer
1. Producing ions from the sample
2. Separating ions of differing masses
3. Detecting the number of ions of each mass
produced
4. Collecting the data and generating the mass
spectrum

7.  Introduction
In ICP-MS, a plasma or gas consisting of ions,
electrons and neutral particles is formed from
Argon gas. The plasma is used to atomize and
ionize the elements in a sample. The resulting
ions are then passed through a series of
apertures (cones) into the high vacuum mass
analyzer.

8. Inductively coupled plasma
 ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma)
A plasma is a gas that contains a sufficient
concentration of ions and electrons to make
the gas electrically conductive. In these
plasma, the positive ions are almost all
singly-charged and there are few negative
ions, so there are nearly equal numbers of
ions and electrons in each unit volume of
plasma

9. INSTRUMENTATION OF ICP-MS
 Sample introduction system
 Plasma source/ sample ionization
 Mass spectrometry interface
 Mass filter
 Detectors
 Computer
 Printer

10. Block diagram of IPC-MS
RF
generator
Plasma
source
Mass
spectrometer
interface
Lens system
Detector Computer Printer
Mass
filter
Sample introduction system

11.  Sample introduction system:-
Samples are introduced into the plasma with aids
of nebulizer
1) Meinhard nebulizer
2) Pneumatic nebulizer

12. 1. Meinhard nebulizer :- It also called as
concentric glass nebulizer
Argon in
Sample in

13. 2) Pneumatic nebulizer:- are less expensive and
most commonly used commercial device
3) Babington nebulizer
4) Ultrasonic nebulizer
5) Desolating nebulizer

14. Samples Used in ICP-MS
Liquids
Solids
Airborne materials
Gases

15.  Plasma source / sample Ionization
ICP Torch
Body

16. Three argon stream are supplied to torch
 The gas flow rate exert considerable influence
over both absolute and relative sensitivities of
various analytes,this flow rate must be very
precisely controlled, so most instrument use a
mass flow controller to maintain a very
constant sample gas flowrate.

17. Photo of argon plasma in operation

18. MASS FILTERS
 Quadrupole mass filter
The quadrupole mass filter is
made up of four metal rods
aligned in a parallel diamond
pattern. A combined DC and
AC electrical potential is
applied to the rods with
opposite rods having a net
negative or positive potential.
Ions enter into the path
between all of the rods.

19. An actual quadrupole, removed from a mass
spectrometer for cleaning, is shown below.

20. DETECTOR
The most common type of
ion detector found in an
ICP-MS system is the
channeltron electron
multiplier. This cone or
horn shaped tube has a
high voltage applied to it
opposite in charge to that
of the ions being detected
Electron Multiplier
Schematic

21. Electron Multiplier Removed for Cleaning


22. Working of ICP-MS

24. INSTRUMENT OF ICP-MS

25. Detection Limit
Element Detection Limit (ppt)
U, Cs, Bi less than 10
Ag, Be, Cd, Rb, Sn, Sb, Au
10-50
Ba, Pb, Se, Sr, Co, W, Mo, Mg
50-100
Cr, Cu, Mn 100-200
Zn, As, Ti 400-500
Li, P 1-3 ppb
Ca less than 20 ppb

26. Limitations of ICP-MS
 Matrix effect
 Solutions with high conc. May plug orifice
 Detection life time may severely by exposure to more than
a few parts per million of any any isotope.
 Organic solvent required addition of oxygen to plasma or
sample pretreatment to avoid plugging orifice with elemental
carbon.
 Poly atomic interference
 Oxide, argide and double charge species give rise to spectral
interference
 Analyte element must have ionization potential less than that
of argon: 15.8 eV

27. Applications
 To determine the conc. Of more than 70 element from
low parts-per-trillion to part-per-millions levels in a
single analysis requiring less than 3 min. after
calibration.
 Heavily used in semiconductor and electronic
industries.
 Affords superior resolution for determination of rare –
earth elements(REEs).
 It capable of determining virtually entire periodic table.
 Biological and medical research and Geochemistry.

28. Applications
 Empirical formulae of chromatographic effluents.
 Determination of isotopic ratios.
 Destructive method, but only a few milligrams or
milliliters of sample are required.
 Very cost effective technique.
 Used in determination of radioactive & transnuric
elements.
 Used for rapid dissolution or digestion of tissues or
fluids.

29. References
 Frank A,Settle, Handbook of Instrumental
Techniques for Analytical chemistry, page no- 419
 Skoog D.A. Leavy J. Principles of Instrumental
Analysis, 4th
edition;Page no.420
 http://www.cee.vt.edu/ewr/environmental/teach/smprim
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICP-MS