Complex samples and spectral interferences in ICP-MS: Evaluation of tandem mass spectrometry for interference-free determination of cadmium, tin and platinum group elements

An analytical method was developed for determination of Cd, Sn, Pd, Pt and Rh in sediments; fertilizer and sludge samples by inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). The performance of ICP-MS/MS using oxygen into the octopole reaction system (ORS3) and MS/MS mode, on mass and shift mass, was evaluated to overcome spectral interferences. Addition and recovery experiments in sediments, fertilizer and sludge samples at three concentration levels, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 mu g L-1, were carried out to evaluate the accuracy of the developed procedure. Quantitative recoveries, from 80 to 113% for Cd-112(+), Sn-120(+) and Pd-106(+) were reached using MS/MS in on mass operation mode. For Pt and Rh, recoveries ranged from 81 to 117% by monitoring (PtO+)-Pt-195-O-16 and (RhO+)-Rh-103-O-16 in MS/MS (shift mass mode) with 0.3 mL min(-1) oxygen gas flow rate pressurized into the ORS3. Limits of detection of the developed method were 15, 2.5, 1.8, 9.0 and 9.9 mu g kg(-1) for (RO+)-R-195-O-16, (RhO+)-Rh-103-O-16 Cd-112(+), Sn-120(+), and Pd-106(+), respectively. All analytes were simultaneously interference-free determined by ICP-MS/MS, which demonstrates the potential of this instrumental analytical strategy for Cd, Sn, Pd, Pt, and Rh determination in complex samples. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.