SBIR Phase I: Novel Sample Introduction Technique for ICP-MS/AES Using A NanomiserTM Device for Spray Formation

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种方法，通过对现有的电感耦合等离子体质谱（ICP-MS）和原子发射光谱（AES）技术进行新的仪器改进，降低砷的实际定量水平。用Nanomiser取代ICP-MS和ICP-AES中使用的标准进样雾化器和喷雾室。装置，从而降低砷和其他元素的检出限。Nanomiser能够非常精细地雾化溶剂/分析物混合物，同时保持狭窄的尺寸分布。迄今为止的结果表明，这一突破性技术导致了平均直径在亚微米到微米范围内的单分散气溶胶的产生。此外，该技术提供了高停留时间（由于低且独立控制的载气速度），这与小颗粒尺寸一起，是气溶胶颗粒充分热蒸发和解离的主要要求之一。气体流动和雾化的独立性将有助于显著增加第一电离能较高的元素的电离，如砷，通过允许更长的停留时间在等离子体中。可靠的进样技术的发展可以显著提高传统原子光谱系统的检出限。此外，Nanomiser设备的小尺寸和紧凑设计将使该技术能够与主要仪器制造商合作，轻松地改造到现有的AES和MS系统中。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a method to lower the practical quantitation level of arsenic using a novel instrumental improvement to existing Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Atomic Emission Spectrometry (AES) techniques. by replacing the standard sample introduction nebulizer and spray chamber used in ICP-MS and ICP-AES with the Nanomiser. device and thus lower the detection limit of arsenic and other elements. The Nanomiser enables very fine atomization of solvent/analyte mixtures with exceptional control over size, while maintaining a narrow size distribution. Results to date show that this breakthrough technology leads to the generation of a monodisperse aerosol with a mean diameter in the sub-micron to micron-range. Furthermore, this technology provides high residence time (due to low and independently controlled carrier gas velocity), which is, together with the small particle size, one of the main requirements for adequate thermal evaporation and dissociation of aerosol particles. The independence of gas flow and atomization will help to significantly increase the ionization of elements with higher first ionization energies, such as arsenic, by allowing for longer residence time in the plasma. The development of a reliable sample introduction technology can significantly improve the detection limits of conventional systems for atomic spectroscopy. Furthermore, the small size and compact design of the Nanomiser device will allow this technology to be easily retrofitted into existing AES and MS systems in collaboration with major instrument manufacturers.