Optimization of an Infrared-Heated Sample Introduction System for Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Metal-Labelled Ion-Exchange Polymer Microparticles

Key Points

• This research aims to enhance the transport efficiency of metal-labelled ion-exchange polymer microparticles in single particle ICP-MS.
• Developed an infrared-heated sample introduction system.
• Analyzed the impact on transport efficiency for metal-labelled microparticles in spICPMS.
• Compared performance metrics before and after optimization.
• Achieved a significant increase in transport efficiency compared to the standard method, p<0.01.
• Improved detection limits for microplastics were recorded with the optimized system.
• Quantitative analysis rendered more consistent and reliable across various particle sizes.