Interferences in plasma spectral analysis can certainly occur and can pose challenges when conducting analytical tests. The accuracy and dependability of the results can be seriously impacted by interference in elemental analysis. Plasma spectral analysis, often performed using techniques like inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), is highly sensitive and capable of detecting trace elements and ions. One of the common types of interference is the Spectral interference. This phenomenon takes place when the analyte's emission or absorption lines and the lines of other elements in the sample cross each other. As a result, the target analyte may not be quantified correctly.
References:
Rosen, V. (2023, July 16). Interferences in ICP-OES/MS: Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/41-note-interferences-icp-oesms-vasiliy-v-rosen-ph-d-?trk=pulse-article
Thermo Fisher Scientific. (2021, September 16). Interferences Explained, ICP-OES Part 1. https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/interferences-explained-icp-oes-part-1
There are different interferences that can potentially occur in the plasma spectral analysis resulting in the wrong assessment of one or both components. The typical examples are chemical, matrix, and polyatomic interferences which is why it is crucial for the proper analytical techniques to be applied, corrective actions must be taken, and to carefully manage the experimental conditions.
There are various methods but for chemical interference wherein there’s a need to overcome the unwanted ionization of analyte, we use a strategy known as Ionization suppression which weakens or strengthens the signals of specific substances, It modifies the plasma's ionization conditions hence, chemical interferences may be lessened as a result. For the matrix, there is a method known as matrix-matching calibration that helps in obtaining precise and accurate information hence minimizing the effect of matrix differences on the analytical signal. As for the Polyatomic interferences, the method known as calibration curve can used by running through the samples with known concentrations of the interfering compounds. Moreover, collision or reaction cells can also be used to decrease or eliminate interferences by removing undesirable reactions by utilizing chemical processes.
The choice of methods depends on the specific nature of interferences hence it is important to carefully evaluate the chosen approach in order to ensure getting a reliable result in the plasma spectral analysis.
Reference:
- Chemical Interferences. (2023, March 17). Bates College. https://chem.libretexts.org/@go/page/111884
- Balaram, V.. (2021). Strategies to Overcome Interferences in Elemental and Isotopic Geochemical Analysis by Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: A Critical Evaluation of the Recent Developments. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. 35. 10.1002/rcm.9065.
- Krushevska, A., Zhou, Y., Ravikumar, V., Kim, Y., & Hinrichs, J. (2006, January 1). Chromium based polyatomic interferences on rhodium in ICP-MS. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry. https://doi.org/10.1039/b602266a
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