Mass Background Spectra of ICP-MS with Various Acids

Abstract

Background spectra of ICP-MS performed with acid can interfere with the spectra of sample analytes. Thus, we have investigated the background spectra of various acids for use in elemental analysis by argon inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The background spectra for 2% HNO3, 5% HNO3, 5% H2SO4, and 4% CH3COOH were obtained with ICP-MS. This study also shows the possibility of the interference of Na, which could not be from the matrix, but from the ICP-MS sampler. The source of interference of boron was the vibrating glass surface of ultrasonic nebulizer. After a mug cup was kept in 4% CH3COOH for 24 hours, trace Pb was determined with ICP-MS.