Coupling Quadrupole ICP-MS with a Dual Syringe Pump Sample Introduction System for Fast and Accurate Determination of Trace Metals in Organic Solvents

The presence of trace metals in volatile organic solvents, even at trace level concentrations, has been associated with poisoning of industrial catalysts and subsequent contamination of final products. As a consequence, it is necessary that volatile organic solvents are analysed for trace metals in an accurate and reliable manner. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been traditionally used to perform such analyses, however, the efficiency of the method is limited. This article provides an overview of volatile organic solvents and the challenges that their analysis poses when using ICP-MS. An innovative technique, combining quadrupole ICP-MS with an advanced dual syringe pump sample introduction system, is discussed as a viable alternative. An experiment is used to demonstrate how this new method enables direct, efficient, accurate and contamination-free analysis of trace metals in volatile organic solvents.


Organic solvents are carbon-based solvents that share a common structure, low molecular weight, lipophilicity and high volatility. Many different classes of chemicals can be used as organic solvents, including aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, amines, esters, ethers, ketones and nitrated or chlorinated hydrocarbons. Organic solvents are useful because they can dissolve oils, fats, resins, rubber and plastics. They exist in liquid form at room temperature and are routinely used in the production of an extended range of products, such as paints, varnishes, lacquers, adhesives, glues, polymers, plastics, textiles, printing inks, degreasing/cleaning agents, agricultural products and pharmaceuticals...