Evaluation of an ICP-collision/reaction cell-MS system for the sensitive determination of spectrally interfered and non-interfered elements using the same gas conditions

Removal of argon-based polyatomics (ArAr and ArO) that interfere with the determination of the main isotopes of selenium and iron was studied using an ICP-MS equipped with a hexapole collision cell. Various gases, including helium, hydrogen, ammonia and N2O, were evaluated to improve detection limits. The behavior of the non-interfered elements was also evaluated using the optimized gas conditions in order to keep the multi-element capability of the ICP-MS. Low detection limits were obtained when a mixture of helium and hydrogen was employed, the values being 2 ng L−1 and 6 ng L−1 for selenium (80Se) and iron (56Fe), respectively. The selected conditions did not degrade the LODs of the non-interfered elements.