Hello Umair,

We regularly measure low concentrations of Ti from aerosols, sediments, and marine particulate samples using ICPMS (Thermo ELEMENT 2 and Agilent 7600 quad). Some forms of Ti (like rutile) can only be dissolved using a combination of nitric and hydrofluoric acids with heat and pressure (e.g., microwave digestion). Also, be sure your ICPMS analyst measures Ti concentrations using masses 47 and 49, as there is an isobaric interference at mass 48. Ultimately, it just sounds like you may need to process your samples a little more rigorously before analyzing. I've attached links to two publications containing details on analyzing Ti in environmental samples.

Good luck!

Article Methods for the sampling and analysis of marine aerosols: Re...

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Dear Umair,

Michael P is absolutely correct.  We need  more detail about how you processed your material prior to presenting it to the ICP and how perhaps even how the ICP was operated.

TiO2 is a refractory metal oxide that frequently requires extra effort to digest it prior ICP analysis.  If you are not even digesting your material at all, or not digesting it under conditions that give dissolution of your starting TiO2 which has not been blended into your material, then you will have many problems with your initial ICP analyses.

Prove your conditions can digest and analyze the pure TiO2 in a reproducible manner and then start on your material -- that is my best suggestion for you at this stage of information shared.

Best regards,

Mike Bender

I don't thank you need special procedure to perform the required test.  you might refer to a any suitable approved method.

Mr. Michael and Mr. Mike thanks for your response. 

Actually I am not sure about the procedure how the lab attendant conduct ICP analysis so I can't say anything about that. 

About material synthesis the process is very simple, I just took some LiCoO2 particles and mixed it with TiO2 suspension, dried it and then heat treated it. 

Try addition of Triton X-100 2% and ultrasonication at sample preparation step.

Thanks for the response Mr. Olga Abramenkova, I will discuss it with ICP person.

I agree with you Mr. Michael Pach, first of all I was curious whether there can any any problem detecting TiO2 using ICP or not. Looking at  Mr. Mike Bender and Mr. Olga Abramenkova's comment, I am convinced that there is possibility to treat TiO2 particles. 

Hello Umair,

We regularly measure low concentrations of Ti from aerosols, sediments, and marine particulate samples using ICPMS (Thermo ELEMENT 2 and Agilent 7600 quad). Some forms of Ti (like rutile) can only be dissolved using a combination of nitric and hydrofluoric acids with heat and pressure (e.g., microwave digestion). Also, be sure your ICPMS analyst measures Ti concentrations using masses 47 and 49, as there is an isobaric interference at mass 48. Ultimately, it just sounds like you may need to process your samples a little more rigorously before analyzing. I've attached links to two publications containing details on analyzing Ti in environmental samples.

Good luck!

Article Methods for the sampling and analysis of marine aerosols: Re...

Article Elemental ratios and enrichment factors in aerosols from the...

Dear Peter Morton, 

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience dealing with Ti, I will also look at the reference publications  :) 

Hi Umair,

to assess your results you need to know: 1.) how was your sample brought into solution (dissolved in H2SO4/HF, fuse ash, ..., how much final dilution,.. once completely in solution, determination is pretty much straightforward. 2.) which ICP detector was used (e.g MS has 32S16O interference on m/z 48, in OES you may have Co interference on 336.12 nm, ....) Then discuss QA with your anlayst, e.g. calibration, internal standards used. 

If you describe us all these conditions, the discussion will be much more helpful. Cheers