A novel approach for adapting the standard addition method to single particle-ICP-MS for the accurate determination of NP size and number concentration in complex matrices.

This paper presents a novel approach, based on the standard addition method, for overcoming the matrix effects that often hamper the accurate characterization of nanoparticles (NPs) in complex samples via single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS). In this approach, calibration of the particle size is performed by two different methods: (i) by spiking a suspension of NPs standards of known size containing the analyte, or (ii) by spiking the sample with ionic standards; either way, the measured sensitivity is used in combination with the transport efficiency (TE) for sizing the NPs. Moreover, such transport efficiency can be readily obtained from the data obtained via both calibration methods mentioned above, so that the particle number concentration can also be determined.

Flow injection on-line electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

Today the greatest hindrances to couple the continuous FI system to discrete ETAAS operations have been overcome as demonstrated by the great number of papers published in the last few years. This paper reviews 109 references to the development and expansion of the FI-ETAAS methodology. The selected FI-ETAAS systems, namely: on-line column preconcentration and separation systems; on-line knotted reactor preconcentration systems; on-line aerosol deposition systems; flow-injection for in situ trapping of volatile compounds and miscellaneous on-line systems.