Instrumental chemical analysis Laboratory

This lab is equipped with an ICP/MS ICAPQ from Thermofisher.
It allows to perform quantitative element analysis of liquid samples or samples prepared through solubilization (microwave mineralization/chemical attacks). It exploits mass spectroscopy in combination with inductively coupled plasma.
The analysis is performed through the following steps:

• Sample insertion
• Interface (ion generation)
• Ion optics (ion focalization)
• Mass analysis with a quadrupole

The generated ions produce a signal proportional to concentration, which is calibrated via comparison with calibration standard samples. It is a very sensitive technique being able to determine element concentration as low as 1 ppb. The instrument is moreover equipped with Qcell technology in He KED to avoid polyatomic interferences.