title: Inductively coupled plasma - Tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS): A powerful and universal tool for the interference-free determination of (ultra)trace elements – A tutorial review.
abstract: This paper is intended as a tutorial review on the use of inductively coupled plasma - tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) for the interference-free quantitative determination and isotope ratio analysis of metals and metalloids in different sample types. Attention is devoted both to the instrumentation and to some specific tools and procedures available for advanced method development. Next to the more typical reaction gases, e.g., H2, O2 and NH3, also the use of promising alternative gases, such as CH3F, is covered, and the possible reaction pathways with those reactive gases are discussed. A variety of published applications relying on the use of ICP-MS/MS are described, to illustrate the added value of tandem mass spectrometry in (ultra)trace analysis.
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Krijgslaan 281-S12, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lieve
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balcaen
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Krijgslaan 281-S12, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bolea-Fernandez
authors.affiliation: University of Zaragoza, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Pedro Cerbuna 12, E-50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Resano
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Krijgslaan 281-S12, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Frank.Vanhaecke@UGent.be.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vanhaecke
keywords: Inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry; Isotopic analysis; Reaction gas; Tandem mass spectrometry; Ultratrace analysis