Research Progress on Elemental Speciation Analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry Hyphenated Techniques

Abstract

BACKGROUND As a highly sensitive analytical technique, ICP-MS has been widely used in the analysis of trace inorganic elements. Combined with chromatographic separation technology, it provides a powerful detection tool for elemental speciation analysis. OBJECTIVES To summarize the research progress of elemental speciation analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry hyphenated techniques. METHODS The main methods of elemental speciation analysis by ICP-MS hyphenated techniques were summarized and compared. The methods included: (1) Gas chromatography coupled with ICP-MS (GC-ICP-MS). (2) Capillary electrophoresis coupled with ICP-MS (CE-ICP-MS). (3) Ion chromatography coupled with ICP-MS (IC-ICP-MS). (4) High performance liquid chromatography coupled with ICP-MS (HPLC-ICP-MS). The main application fields of elemental speciation analysis in China were biomedical field, food and drug safety monitoring and ecoenvironmental geochemistry. RESULTS GC-ICP-MS has high sensitivity and is suitable for volatile samples, its application is thus limited. CE-ICP-MS has fast analysis and high separation efficiency, but the limitation of sample injection volume makes the method detection limitation high. IC-ICP-MS mainly analyzes anions, cations and small molecular polar compounds. It is a useful complement to HPLC, but the mobile phase containing inorganic salts may block the sampling cone. HPLC-ICP-MS has been the most widely used technology in speciation analysis because of its wide application fields and simple technology. CONCLUSIONS Sample preparation research for complex matrices, preparing standard materials, and developing simultaneous multi-element speciation analysis methods are the research direction of elemental speciation analysis.

Keywords

• gc-icp-ms
• ce-icp-ms
• ic-icp-ms
• hplc-icp-ms
• hyphenated technique
• elemental speciation