Online microdroplet calibration for accurate nanoparticle quantification in organic matrices

Single-particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (spICP-TOFMS) is a high-throughput method for the multiplexed analysis of nanoparticles (NPs). However, matrix interferences are a significant challenge that must be overcome for accurate NP sizing and number concentration determination. In online microdroplet calibration, multi-element droplet standards are mixed with nebulized aerosols from a NP-containing sample in a dual-sample introduction system before entering the ICP. Microdroplet standards are used to determine absolute sensitivities and calibrate the mass amount(s) of analyte element(s) in particle events. A plasma-uptake standard is added to NP-containing samples to account for variations in the nebulization and transport efficiency of aerosols into the plasma, which are used in the determination of particle number concentrations (PNCs). Since the microdroplets experience the same plasma conditions as analyte NPs, this creates a matrix-matched calibration. We studied the efficacy of online microdroplet calibration for the quantification of NPs in three organic matrices: ethanol, acetone, and acetonitrile. Organic solvents can cause a pronounced increase in sample uptake and cause plasma-related signal attenuation for nanoparticle measurements. Online microdroplet calibration corrects for both effects without the use of nanoparticle standards. Our results demonstrate accurate NP sizing and PNC determinations in organic matrices up to 98% (v/v), even when these matrices caused signals to be attenuated up to 35-times and nebulizer transport efficiencies to be up to four-times higher than that of a pure water matrix.

Automated summary

Single-particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (spICP-TOFMS) is a high-throughput method for analyzing nanoparticles (NPs). However, matrix interferences pose challenges for accurate NP sizing and number concentration determination. Online microdroplet calibration is a method that uses multi-element droplet standards mixed with nebulized aerosols from a NP-containing sample to calibrate the measurement. This method can correct for the effects of organic solvents on NP measurements.