Packed capillary high-temperature liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The applicability of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as a detector for high-temperature liquid chromatography with packed capill ary columns has been studied. A laboratory-made micro concentric nebulizer was utilized as a interface for the coupling of the two instruments. The re peatability of peak height and area at the investigated column temperatures (75-150 degrees C) was good, with relative standard deviation less than 1. 5% (n=3). The limit of detection (LOD) for tetraethyl- and tetramethyllead was found to be 5 pg as Pb (S/N=3), and for tetraethyltin 9 pg as Sn (S/N=3 ). The effect of temperature ramping on the baseline was investigated, and no limitations regarding range or rate of temperature increase upon the ICP -MS response were found for the mobile phases used. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.