I am analyzing trace metals in samples (in 3% HNO3) using the ICP-MS (NexION 350). However, some metals that are difficult to reduce background noise include zinc, Iron, and Aluminum. What should I do?
Can you elaborate on the materials and concentrations you are dealing with?
Do you mean trace elements in steel samples, or plant tissue, or interstellar dust samples, (to pick three possible examples)? "Trace" means different things to different people - steel is available in kilogram amounts, plants in grams and dust in milligrams at most, so even if your "trace element" is present at 1 part per million, it will be much easier to find in the steel than the dust.
- what sort of counts per second do you have in the blanks vs a sample?
- which isotopes are you measuring for Fe and Zn?
- What grade of acid are you using? Has it been re-distilled, was it packaged in glass or PTFE and have you checked the quality of your sample vials and sample preparation equipment?
Without extra details, we can't offer suggestions to improve your technique.
Dear Fabrice Kapiamba . See the following useful link: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/icp-ms-when-sensitivity-does-matter
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