Sensitivity enhancement in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using nebulization methods via nitrogen mixed gas effect

Abstract

We demonstrate the sensitivity enhancement in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP−MS) by combining ultrasonic nebulization via the nitrogen mixed gas effect. We showed the effect of nitrogen gas concentration (0–5%) in the nebulizer gas on the signal sensitivity for 63 elements using commercially available (concentric and ultrasonic) nebulizers. In addition, the limit of detection (ng L−1) was calculated in each case. Finally, we compared the sensitivity (i.e., the slope of the calibration curve), background noise intensity, and three-dimensional intensity distribution in the plasma to elucidate the effects of the concurrent use of mixed gas plasmas and nebulization methods. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].