Application of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AsFlFFF) coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) to the quantitative characterization of natural colloids and synthetic nanoparticles

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Publication Details

Output type: Journal article

Author list: Bouby M., Geckeis H., Geyer F.

Publisher: Springer

Publication year: 2008

Journal: Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (1618-2642)

Volume number: 392

Issue number: 7-8

Start page: 1447

End page: 1457

Number of pages: 11

ISSN: 1618-2642

eISSN: 1618-2650

URL: http://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id:56749102805

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Open access status: closed

Abstract

A straightforward quantification method is presented for the application of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AsFlFFF) combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) to the characterization of colloid-borne metal ions and nanoparticles. Reproducibility of the size calibration and recovery of elements are examined. Channel flow fluctuations are observed notably after initiation of the fractionation procedure. Their impact on quantification is considered by using Rh as internal reference. Intensity ratios measured for various elements and Rh are calculated for each data point. These ratios turned out to be independent of the metal concentration and total sample solution flow introduced into the nebulizer within a range of 0.4-1.2 mL min. The method is applied to study the interaction of Eu, U(VI) and Th with a mixture of humic acid and clay colloids and to the characterization of synthetic nanoparticles, namely CdSe/ZnS-MAA (mercaptoacetic acid) core/shell-coated quantum dots (QDs). Information is given not only on inorganic element composition but also on the effective hydrodynamic size under relevant conditions. Detection limits (DLs) are estimated for Ca, Al, Fe, the lanthanide Ce and the natural actinides Th and U in colloid-containing groundwater. For standard crossflow nebulizer, estimated values are 7∈×∈10, 20, 3∈×∈10, 0.1, 0.1 and 7∈×∈10 μg L, respectively. DLs for Zn and Cd in QD characterization are 28 and 11 μg L, respectively. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.

Keywords

Colloids, Flow field-flow fractionation, Humic acids, Hydrodynamic size, Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, Nanoparticles, Quantification, Quantum dots, Radionuclides

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