The analysis of high purity hydrogen peroxide by dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS

Over the past 10 years, many techniques have been developed to overcome spe ctral interference problems in ICP-MS. Most of them are only applicable to single elements or small groups of elements. Others such as sector field hi gh resolution mass spectrometry, are very expensive and suffer limitations with respect to detection power and speed of analysis when operated in high resolution mode. Perkin-Elmer SCIEX developed a new approach for eliminati ng spectral interferences, called chemical resolution, which is applicable to a conventional quadrupole mass spectrometer. This unique approach has be en commercialized for the first time with the ELAN(R) 6100 DRC. The concept of a bandpassed dynamic reaction cell permits extremely efficient removal of many argon-based interferences (up to 9 orders of magnitude) and has the potential of eliminating other polyatomic interferences as well. Instrumen t background is dramatically reduced to less than 1 count/second, while nor mal quadrupole ICP-MS sensitivity and scanning speed is maintained. This le ads to detection limits that are typically an order of magnitude better tha n a conventional quadrupole ICP-MS, including the problematic elements like K, Ca, Cr, Fe, As, and Se. All analytes can be determined applying a singl e set of rugged, normal temperature plasma conditions, leading to improved long-term stability, more efficient sample throughput, and enhanced ease of use.