Field-flow fractionation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer coupling: History, development and applications

Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) is now recognised as a versatile pool of techniques allowing particle size or molar mass to be obtained in a wide variety of samples covering numerous applications in the fields of environment, materials or biology. In the same time, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) has an indisputable place in the field of elemental detectors and the coupling between FFF and ICP-MS can be considered as an emerging technique capable to reach relevant physico-chemical information at sub-micrometre scale and trace element concentration level. This paper gives some key elements of FFF-based fractionation linking theory and practical analytical aspects, from injection and preconcentration to analysis. The different components of the coupling are described. Summary tables of the main operating conditions of FFF-ICP-MS coupling are presented and operating conditions such as carrier composition, flow and nebulizers are discussed. Special attention is given to the FFF-ICP-MS interface. Qualitative and quantitative analysis is also discussed. Applications in the fields of environment, bioanalysis and nanoparticles are presented in order to illustrate the potentialities of such coupling.