A demountable nanoflow nebulizer for sheathless interfacing nano-high performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

This work demonstrates a low-cost and demountable nanoflow nebulizer with a small dead volume for stable introduction of liquids at nanoflow rates into ICP-MS.

Coupling nanoliter high‐performance liquid chromatography to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for arsenic speciation

“…In comparison with the values by the same technology, i.e. nanoHPLC–ICP‐MS , detection limits by the proposed method were about decreased by two orders of magnitude, which were attributed to superior sensitivity and precision of the nanonebulizer over DIHEN at nanoflow rates. Three human serum samples from the Hospital of Zhejiang University were directly analyzed after two‐fold dilution with 1% v/v HCl and 0.22 μm filtration, and the results are listed in Table .…”

“…An ICP‐MS (X Series Ⅱ , Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) was operated in the time‐resolved analysis mode for the detection of arsenic at a mass isotope of 75. The interface for coupling nanoHPLC to ICP‐MS consisted of the previous nanoflow nebulizer and a single pass spray chamber heated to 90°C . A model HI 98128 pH‐meter (Hanna Instrument, Italia) assisted adjustment of pH values of mobile phases.…”

“…Absolute detection limits within 0.4 to 5.4 pg arsenic were comparable to previously reported data at higher flow rates (20–1000 μL/min) and larger sample injection volumes (20–100 μL). Our group fabricated a demountable nanoflow nebulizer using a tip‐tapered narrow‐bore capillary by grinding for successful sheathless interfacing nanoHPLC with ICP‐MS for arsenic speciation . Overall researchers pay their main attention to the interface but ignore considerations on nanoHPLC itself (such as dead volume, cost, sample volume, mobile phase, etc.…”

A Spiral-Helix (3D) Tubing Array That Ensures Ultrahigh-Throughput Single-Cell Sampling

“…The nebulization device in this study consists of a laboratory-made concentric nebulizer and a mini coaxial spray chamber. The central tube, fused silica, is hydrophobized in its internal/external surface with FOTS, , and its tip is polished into a cone . Fused silica is conveniently demountable/replaceable which is especially useful when breakage or blockage occur .…”

“…Figure b–d shows their cutaway view of the structural and internal geometrical dimensions. The front end of fused silica tubing is etched by buffered oxide etchant ( V HF (40%) /V NH4F (40%) = 1:6); its tip is polished sequentially with 1500 and 3000 grid waterproof sandpaper into a cone at an angle of 30° . The inner and outer surface of the fused silica is hydrophobized using FOTS for 4 h .…”