Intensity- and time-based strategies for micro/nano-sizing via single-particle ICP-mass spectrometry: A comparative assessment using Au and SiO as model particles.

Background: Single-particle ICP-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is a powerful method for micro/nano-particle (MNP) sizing. Despite the outstanding evolution of the technique in the last decade, most studies still rely on traditional approaches based on (1) the use of integrated intensity as the analytical signal and (2) the calculation of the transport efficiency (TE). However, the increasing availability of MNP standards and advancements in hardware and software have unveiled new venues for MNP sizing, including TE-independent and time-based approaches.

Tracing isotopically labeled selenium nanoparticles in plants via single-particle ICP-mass spectrometry.

Agronomic biofortification using selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) shows potential for addressing selenium deficiency but further research on SeNPs-plants interaction is required before it can be effectively used to improve nutritional quality. In this work, single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) was used for tracing isotopically labeled SeNPs (SeNPs) in Oryza sativa L. tissues.

Isotope Dilution Analysis for Particle Mass Determination Using Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry: Application to Size Determination of Silver Nanoparticles.

This paper describes methodology based on the application of isotope dilution (ID) in single-particle inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (spICP-ToFMS) mode for the mass determination (and sizing) of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). For this purpose, and considering that the analytical signal in spICP-MS shows a transient nature, an isotope dilution equation used for online work was adapted and used for the mass determination of individual NPs. The method proposed measures NP isotope ratios in a particle-to-particle approach, which allows for the characterization of NP mass (and size) distributions and not only the mean size of the distribution.

An Approach Based on an Increased Bandpass for Enabling the Use of Internal Standards in Single Particle ICP-MS: Application to AuNPs Characterization.

This paper proposes a novel approach to implement an internal standard (IS) correction in single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP ICP-MS), as exemplified for the characterization of Au nanoparticles (NPs) in complex matrices. This approach is based on the use of the mass spectrometer (quadrupole) in bandpass mode, enhancing the sensitivity for the monitoring of AuNPs while also allowing for the detection of PtNPs in the same measurement run, such that they can serve as an internal standard. The performance of the method developed was proved for three different matrices: pure water, a 5 g L NaCl water solution, and another water solution containing 2.

Living in a transient world: ICP-MS reinvented time-resolved analysis for monitoring single events.

After 40 years of development, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can hardly be considered as a novel technique anymore. ICP-MS has become the reference when it comes to multi-element bulk analysis at (ultra)trace levels, as well as to isotope ratio determination for metal(loid)s. However, over the last decade, this technique has managed to uncover an entirely new application field, providing information in a variety of contexts related to the individual analysis of single entities (, nanoparticles, cells, or micro/nanoplastics), thus addressing new societal challenges.