Design, Optimization, and Application of a 3D-Printed Polymer Sample Introduction System for the ICP-MS Analysis of Nanoparticles and Cells
Gyula Kajner,
Ádám Bélteki,
Martin Cseh,
Zsolt Geretovszky,
Tibor Ajtai,
Lilla Barna,
Mária A. Deli,
Bernadett Pap,
Gergely Maróti,
Gábor Galbács
Affiliations
Gyula Kajner
Department of Molecular and Analytical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm Square 7-8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
Ádám Bélteki
Department of Molecular and Analytical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm Square 7-8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
Martin Cseh
Center of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation, 3D Center University of Szeged, Tisza Lajos Boulevard 107, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
Zsolt Geretovszky
Center of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research, Development and Innovation, 3D Center University of Szeged, Tisza Lajos Boulevard 107, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
Tibor Ajtai
Department of Optics and Quantum Electronics, University of Szeged, Dóm Square 9, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
Lilla Barna
HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Temesvári Boulevard 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
Mária A. Deli
HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Temesvári Boulevard 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
Bernadett Pap
HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center, Temesvári Boulevard 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
Gergely Maróti
HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center, Temesvári Boulevard 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
Gábor Galbács
Department of Molecular and Analytical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm Square 7-8, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
Commonly used sample introduction systems for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are generally not well-suited for single particle ICP-MS (spICP-MS) applications due to their high sample requirements and low efficiency. In this study, the first completely 3D-printed, polymer SIS was developed to facilitate spICP-MS analysis. The system is based on a microconcentric pneumatic nebulizer and a single-pass spray chamber with an additional sheath gas flow to further facilitate the transport of larger droplets or particles. The geometry of the system was optimized using numerical simulations. Its aerosol characteristics and operational conditions were studied via optical particle counting and a course of spICP-MS measurements, involving nanodispersions and cell suspensions. In a comparison of the performance of the new and the standard (quartz microconcentric nebulizer plus a double-pass spray chamber) systems, it was found that the new sample introduction system has four times higher particle detection efficiency, significantly better signal-to-noise ratio, provides ca. 20% lower size detection limit, and allows an extension of the upper limit of transportable particle diameters to about 25 µm.
