Critical evaluation of internal standardization in ICP tandem mass spectrometry and feasibility of the oxygen reaction for boron determination in plants

Author(s)

Amaral, Clarice D. B. ^{[1, 2]} ; Machado, Raquel C. ^{[1, 2]} ; Virgilio, Alex ^[2] ; Schiavo, Daniela ^[3] ; Nogueira, Ana Rita A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Nobrega, Joaquim A. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Embrapa Pecuaria Sudeste, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Chem, Grp Appl Instrumental Anal, POB 676, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Agilent Technol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry; v. 31, n. 6, p. 1179-1184, JUN 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

The feasibility of internal standardization and the oxygen reaction in ICP-MS was studied for accurate determination of boron. Lithium, Be and Rh were systematically evaluated as internal standards (IS.) for B determination in plants by ICP-MS/MS using a single quadrupole mode and MS/MS mode with O-2 into a cell, where B and internal standard signal intensities were processed either after both or only one of them reacted. Carbon is a source of spectral and matrix interferences in B determination by ICP-MS. The use of instrumental strategies such as tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) concomitantly with internal standardization demands further investigation about the I.S. behaviour regarding the gas phase reaction with oxygen. The behaviours of B and Be, as well as their oxides, were quite similar in an octopole reaction system containing O-2. The coexistence of spectral and non-spectral interferences was evidenced by increasing carbon concentrations in samples and checking positive errors caused for B-11(+). Recoveries for B determination in plant certified reference materials without I.S. ranged from 98 to 145% and with Be as an internal standard ranged from 98 to 108%. Beryllium presented favourable characteristics as an internal standard for B due to its mass closeness, similar ionization energy, and reactivity with oxygen. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/26672-5 - Development of procedures to As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Pb and Si determination in fertilizer samples by using microwave inductive plasma optical emission spectrometry (MIP OES)
• Grantee: Raquel Cardoso Machado
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/18393-1 - Evaluation of gradient flow analysis as calibration strategy for spectroanalytical techniques with plasma source
• Grantee: Alex Virgilio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/14488-0 - Analytical method development for quality determination of fertilizers and tanning waste
• Grantee: Ana Rita de Araujo Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants