Explorations into Nanoparticle Analysis by Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
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Authors
Williams, Andrew
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
ICPMS , Nanoparticle , Single Particle ICPMS
Alternative Title
Abstract
The growing use of nanoparticles in a wide variety of industries has facilitated an increasing need to detect, quantify, and size these materials. Quality control and detection of environmental contaminations are pressing areas of concern for nanoparticle analysis. A wide range of techniques promises the ability to achieve these goals; however, many struggle in certain key areas, namely reproducibility, expense, and time required to take measurements. A technique that is growing in popularity for nanoparticle analysis is single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICPMS) as it solves many of the issues that other techniques struggle with, namely reproducibility and time required for analysis. A new peak area calibration technique is shown for spICPMS and compared to the conventional average intensities approach. The peak area technique does not require measurement of the transport efficiency while still providing statistically similar results, thus eliminating one potential source of error. One area where spICPMS struggles is the sensitivity of the analysis. The sensitivity is limited by the transport efficiency of the spray chamber. To attempt to improve the sensitivity of the spICPMS method, this thesis examines modified sample introduction techniques. Flow injection and mono segmented flow analysis (MSFA) are both techniques where a discrete amount of sample is injected into a carrier stream for analysis. Additionally, infrared (IR) heating of the sample introduction system to create smaller droplets increasing the amount of sample that reaches the plasma is also examined. MSFA give similar size distributions to the conventional approach while improving the transport efficiency leading to improved precision for the measurement of nanoparticles as well as improved sensitivity and limits of detection for solution analysis. IR heating of the sample introduction system also improved the transport efficiency and therefore the sensitivity of the analysis; however, raising the temperature too high resulted in the background signal being increased. The optimal temperature that was found was 60°C. Calibrating spICPMS with the peak areas approach reduces the number of measurements required and lowers the error associated with the analysis, while using an MSFA approach as well as IR heating can increase transport efficiency and improve the sensitivity.
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Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
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Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
CC0 1.0 Universal
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
CC0 1.0 Universal