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News from the Lab  Articles Online  Analytical Quick Tip  IV Line Humor  Fluctuations in ICP-MS Sensitivity

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New 2008 Catalog
Inorganic Ventures’ new catalog will be mailing soon! In addition to several new products, many existing products feature new pricing. Some prices have dropped, while others have increased slightly. Catalogs will be mailed in late December. New pricing will go into effect on January 1, 2008.
Reserve your copy today!

Annual Toys For Tots Drive
Last year we donated several thousand dollars to the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation in December, and we're happy to continue that tradition. Through December 31st, a percentage of every order will help support underprivileged children this holiday season. All of us at Inorganic Ventures thank you for your support and we hope you have a healthy and happy holiday.

Custom $avings - Ends Soon!
A reminder: Our special 15% savings on all custom standards quoted through our website will be ending soon. To receive this discount, order on or before December 31, 2007. Request a quotation today and save big this holiday season!

Use single element standards that have the trace metals impurities reported on the certificate of analysis. Most chemical standards manufacturers provide this information with their single element standards. This data is important to identify direct spectral overlap interferences and in not identifying an impurity as an interference of this type.

Why do the counts for some of the metals in your standards drop over time? And why might others increase? These fluctations can be confusing, but they're not without cause.

ICP-MS sensitivity as per atomic number is influenced by the sample argon flow rate (higher flows generally cause higher sensitivity for the lower atomic numbers) and the settings on the ion optics. Even though the voltages may be the same, the optics will change with time and need to be optimized on a regular basis. The use of a different nebulizer, even though it is made by the same manufacturer, can cause this difference.

The use of the same type, but different torch and/or spray chamber, can also be a factor. Alignment is very important when a new or different torch is used. Even the peristaltic pump tubing will 'stretch with use' and change the overall sensitivities as well as the relative sensitivities.

Last but not least is the aging of the sampler and skimmer cones. As they age, the overall sensitivity goes down. ICP-MS has many more parameters than ICP-OES that analysts must deal with. Technicians are encouraged to keep checking and optimizing these parameters. Dr. Gaines, Inorganic Ventures' senior chemist, finds this necessary on a daily basis. Dr. Gaines states that after several years of operating his ICP-MS, it still takes about two hours from the time the instrument is fired up to the time that he feels comfortable collecting data.

Articles Online  more articles »

Sample Preparation Guide: The Rare Earth Elements  · NEW ·
The eigth installment of our Sample Preparation Guide discusses detailed preparation tips for samples containing any of the Rare Earth elements.

Certified Concentration of a Standard  · NEW ·
Dr. Gaines discusses how we determine the certified concentration of a standard based on two independent assay methods.

ICP Operations Guide  · COMPLETE ·
A clear 16-part online guide intended for anyone preparing samples and standards for measurement using ICP. Topics cover many day-to-day tasks required by all operators.

Reliable Measurements: A Guidebook for Trace Analysts  · COMPLETE ·
An essential 17-part online guide for chemical analysts. Topics cover all phases of sample collection, preparation, measurement, and data analysis.

Q: Why did the chemist sole and heel his shoes with silicone rubber?
A: To reduce his carbon footprint.

Submitted by K. Dixon-Jackson, England