A dynamic reaction cell for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS) - Part III. Optimization and analytical performance

The dynamic reaction cell (DRC) is a rf/dc quadrupole which may be pressuri zed with a reactive gas in order to promote ion-molecule reactions intended to suppress plasma-based isobaric interferences for trace elemental analys is. The bandpass of the DRC is adjusted in order to suppress the appearance of new interferences produced through sequential reactions within the reac tion cell. The DRC may alternatively be operated at low pressure (vented, u nder collision-free conditions) to emulate conventional ICP-MS. A practical optimization procedure for both the vented and pressurized modes is descri bed, with examples showing the suppression of both plasma-based and cell-ba sed isobaric interferences. The analytical performance characteristics of t he instrument, including efficiency of isobar rejection, detection limits i n clean water and in neat hydrogen peroxide, short- and long-term stability , determination of arsenic in chloride solution and Se isotope determinatio n, are provided.