Improved Cd determination in glasses by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using nitrogen as a matrix modifier

The addition of 5-10 mL min(-1) nitrogen to the central channel of plasma in Laser ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) increases the sensitivities of Cd by a factor of 3 and decreases oxide interferences by one order of magnitude, which allows the direct analysis of trace levels of Cd in glass samples. This simple method shows a great potential for the direct determination of Cd in various kinds of samples. (C) 2008 Zhao Chu Hu. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.