How Does an ICP-MS Work?

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a technique used to identify the elements present in a sample, unlike LC/MS and GC/MS, which measure molecules and compounds. In ICP-MS, an argon plasma (the ICP) is used to ionize the sample, and the ions are then analyzed with a mass spectrometer. This method offers exceptionally low detection limits for nearly all the elements it can detect.

Common Applications for ICP-MS

ICP-MS analysis is used in nearly every industry from routine environmental monitoring, consumer product testing, food and pharmaceutical safety applications, through life science and clinical research, mining and metals analysis, and more. It can measure nearly all naturally occurring elements as well as many non-natural “radiogenic” isotopes. The elements that cannot be measured are H and He (which are below the mass range of the mass spectrometer), Ar, N, and O (which are present at high level from the plasma and air), and F and Ne (which can’t be ionized in an argon plasma).

Sample Tubes for ICP-MS

Although borosilicate glass vials are common for chromatography applications, plastic tubes are used for ICP-MS applications. This is common practice because some metals can easily absorb into glass, but not into plastics. At Chrom Tech, we offer virgin polypropylene autosampler tubes and caps for AA, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, TOC, UV-VIS, HPLC, FIA, GPC, fraction collection and liquid handling applications. These ICP-MS tubes are standard sizes and are used by many instrument manufacturers including Agilent, Lachat, Leeman Labs, Perkin Elmer, and more. For a fraction of the price, we offer the same excellent clarity and resistance to acids as the leading manufacturers making our tubes a great choice for ICP-MS applications.