Ready-to-use reagents for Discrete Analyzer

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Say goodbye to DIY with ready-to-use reagents for discrete analyzers! Until now, pre-mixed reagents have not been offered in a sustainable, reliable way. Through extensive research and development, Inorganic Ventures has created the perfect alternative to in-house reagents. These products require no preparation time, improving your efficiency and minimizing errors.

In addition to saving time, these reagents offer method flexibility, batch-to-batch consistency and comprehensive stability data.

As always, these products are packaged in Inorganic Ventures’ Transpiration Control Technology (TCT) for protection from light and you can have them in your home within 2 weeks.

EPA or standard methods for which reagents are available: (*)

  • Chloride (Cl-) Method – Standard Method 4500-Cl-E, EPA Method 325.2
  • Phosphate (PO4-3) Method – Standard Method 4500-PO4-3E
  • Sulfate (SO4-2) Method – Standard Method 4500-SO4-2E, EPA Method 375.4 – Sulfate, Turbidimetric, ASTM D516-11 – Standard Test Method for Sulfate Ion in Water, ISO 15923-1 – Water Quality- Determination of Selected Parameters by Discrete Analysis Systems – Part 1: Ammonium, Nitrate, Nitrite, Chloride, Orthophosphate, Sulfate and Silicate with Photometric Detection
  • Ammonia (NH3) Method – ISO 15923-1, ISO 7150/1, EPA Method 350.1, Standard Methods 4500-NH3 F

(*) Please keep an eye on our website. This year the suite of reagents will be further expanded! Likely to be: Ammonia. Alkalinity, Hardness, Chromium and more. Let us know which ones you are looking for!

Shelf life
Because this is a new product, the manufacturer Inorganic Ventures is conducting rolling stability studies. The shelf life is now at 9 months because the study is now 9 months in progress. During the study, every three months the stability is extended by three months until the maximum shelf life is reached, which is not clear at this time.

Not sure if these reagents are right for your laboratory? Below we have listed some of the most frequently asked questions with our answer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Win back time and increase your lab’s efficiency with ready-to-use reagents! FAQs

1. What instruments are the discrete analytical reagents designed for?

Our discrete reagents can be used on the following instruments:

2. I am using a segmented flow analyzer. Are your discrete analyzer reagents compatible with this instrument?

The reagents for discrete analyzers can work on your segmented flow analyzer. Please refer to the Method Chemistry Sheets (links above) for each product for detailed product composition. Please contact us directly with any questions.

3. Does shipping to or through locations with hot temperatures cause stability issues with the reagents?

Our stability studies have shown that some reagents can be sensitive to heat. All of our products undergo shipping stability to ensure that temporary exposure to heat does not affect product performance. At this time, we recommend refrigerated storage of discrete analytical reagents until our stability studies are completed and storage recommendations on the product coAs are reviewed.

4. Transpiration Control Technology (TCT) extends the shelf life of Inorganic Ventures’ standards by up to five years. Do the Discrete Analyzer Reagents have the same 5-year shelf life?

Unfortunately no. Our standards have a 5-year chemical stability and the TCT pouch ensures that the concentration does not change due to perspiration. The discrete analyzer reagents are still being tested for chemical stability and we currently use the TCT pouch for protection from light. Currently, all of our discrete reagents have a shelf life of 9 months and we will adjust the shelf life every 3 months for the duration of stability testing.

5. The 500 ml volume is not suitable for my testing needs. Does Inorganic Ventures offer other bottle sizes?

Whether you need a custom volume size or a unique formulation, we are happy to work with you to meet your needs. To get started, contact us!

6. I’m not sure if I’m really saving time and money by switching from reagents made in my lab to off-the-shelf reagents from Inorganic Ventures. How do I know for sure?

Schedule an appointment with our Product Manager Jeroen van Boxtel and we’ll walk you through your individual time and money savings! We have a savings calculator ready and you can take the findings to your team.

7. My standard operating procedure (SOP) is very complex. I’m not sure if I can easily add new reagents to the workflow. Can you help?

No problem! Inorganic Ventures’ technicians specialize in SOP development and implementation. Make an appointment through us with one of these chemists for technical support to discuss your specific SOP requirements.

8. I am following alternative methods on my discrete analyzer, are there other methods available?

We are launching more reagents for discrete analyzers in the coming months! The following – Ammonia. Alkalinity, Hardness, Chromium and more to follow. Let us know which ones you are looking for!

Mail us

Ga naar productpagina van Discrete Analyser ReAGENTs

Press Release: Instrument Solutions appointed as distributor for Knauer

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Knauer appoints Instrument Solutions as distributor

Instrument Solutions Benelux BV, a leading supplier of high quality laboratory equipment and solutions, is pleased to announce that it has been appointed by Knauer as a distributor for the Benelux region. This appointment is a recognition of the expertise and success of Instrument Solutions Benelux BV in the scientific and industrial laboratory market.
As a distributor of Knauer, Instrument Solutions will offer Knauer’s full range of advanced laboratory instruments and accessories to customers in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Knauer, a renowned manufacturer of analytical and preparative HPLC systems, columns and other laboratory equipment, is known for its technological innovation, reliability and customer-oriented approach.
Link to the Knauer website.

“We are thrilled and honored to be Knauer’s distribution partner for the Benelux region,” said Jan Volkers, Product Manager of Instrument Solutions. “Knauer is a well-known brand in the lab industry that develops and manufactures its products in Germany, is known for its high-quality products and excellent customer service. We look forward to providing our customers with innovative solutions and technical support from Knauer.”

With this new partnership, Instrument Solutions strengthens its position as a prominent supplier of laboratory solutions and offers its customers an even wider range of high-quality instruments and services.


For more information about the products and services of Instrument Solutions Benelux BV, please contact:

Jan Volkers

Sales Manager

Tel; +31 (0) 88 4678 786

E-mail; j.volkers@instrument-solutions.com

Sina Saidifar

Product Specialist Chromatografie

Tel; +31 (0) 88 4678 747

E-mail; s.saidifar@instrument-solutions.com

Platinum Cobalt Color Standard

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Drowning in water testing regulations?

Inorganic Ventures’ Platinum Cobalt Color Standard (PT-CO-500ML) is your lifeline!

Accurate, traceable standards are essential for regulatory compliance. If you don’t start with an accurately calibrated CRM, you can’t have confidence in your data.

The color of water and wastewater is often evaluated by determining the level of contaminants present and acts as a general indicator of water quality. For many years, the term “water white” was considered an adequate measurement of solvent color. Different expressions for defining “water white” were developed, making it clear that a more precise color standard is needed.

This need has been met using a colorimetric scaling method that measures the yellow tint in liquids compared to a qualified reference solution. Using UV/Vis spectroscopy, rather than a visual comparison, allows an analyst to more accurately and precisely determine present impurities, which is necessary for virtually colorless samples. Therefore, it is essential that the quality of the reference materials used match the high-quality performance of UV/Vis spectroscopy.

The use of the accurate starting materials (potassium chloroplatinate/cobalt chloride hexahydrate) required by the ASTM method, combined with Inorganic Ventures’ NIST traceable instrument verification methods, ensures credible, repeatable and reliable results.

While different approaches exist in the market for formulating and certifying Pt-Co color standards, the IV product starts with the right materials, follows the prescribed method and backs it up with chemical expertise, integrity and support. Here’s how you can stay afloat as water testing methods evolve.

Platinum Cobalt Color Standard - item number: PT-CO-500ML
Analyteµg/mLMethodNIST SRM#
Platina Cobalt Color Units500 CUNominal (from ASTM D1209-05 method and standard method 2120C)N/A *
Cobalt, Co250ICP Assay3113
Platinum, Pt500ICP Assay3140

*Measured absorbance data determined using a spectrophotometer verified with NIST SRM 2034 and NIST SRM 931h for wavelength and absorbance are provided on the Certificate or Analysis. *Absorbance data obtained using an optical glass cell with a 50mm path length per Standard Methods 2120C and ASTM D1209-05-05.

Other advantages:

Other Benefits:

  • Lot to lot consistency and guaranteed stability
  • Eliminates the time of preparing 500 CU in-house
  • Traceable to NIST
  • Second source available upon request
  • Packaged in our TCT which offers up to 5-year shelf life and eliminates concerns about shipping and storage

Thanks for your visit!

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Thank you for visiting WoTS 2022!

Thank you very much for visiting our booth during WoTS 2022 in Utrecht. It was good to meet you live (again)! We can look back on a pleasant and successful exhibition with a lot of interest in our laboratory products and with many positive conversations!

Kind regards on behalf of the sisters,

Team Instrument Solutions Benelux & SALM AND KIPP

Prijswinnaars ‘Hoeveel muisjes zitten er in maatkolf’ actie WoTS beurs

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Prijswinnaars ‘Hoeveel muisjes zitten er in maatkolf’ actie WoTS beurs

Deze week vindt de WoTS beurs 2022 plaats in Utrecht. Op onze stand hebben we samen met ons zuster bedrijf SALM EN KIPP een leuke actie bedacht waarbij op iedere beursdag 3 taarten voor de afdeling kunnen worden verdiend!

Wat de bezoeker daarvoor moet doen is raden hoeveel muisjes er in de maatkolf van 2 liter zitten.

Degenen die het dichtst in de buurt komen van het werkelijk aantal muisjes zijn de winnaars. Per dag zijn er 3 winnaars en die worden na iedere beursdag hieronder vermeld. De winnaars kunnen een taart verwachten die binnenkort persoonlijk zal worden afgeleverd door een van onze collega’s!

Winnaars 27-9-2022

  • Joyce Welten
  • Ivonne van den Berg
  • Rob van Anraad

Winnaars 28-9-2022

  • Kim van Bergen
  • Martin Elmers
  • Marloes Kamphuis

Winnaars 29-9-2022

  • Suzanne Stoop
  • S. Dekker
  • Siete Brouwer

Winnaar 30-9-2022

  • Evelien Akerboom
  • Tristan Havinga
  • Marjolein de Hart

Gefeliciteerd!

Custom Inorganic Standards 5 years Shelf Life

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Custom Multi Element inorganic standards now have a certified shelf life of up to 5 years through Transpiration Control Technology (TCT) from Inorganic Ventures. With TCT, concerns about storage and transport conditions of standards are eliminated. This saves the lab money and simplifies research by eliminating the need to constantly monitor stock levels and reorder CRMs.

Last year Inorganic Ventures already introduced the TCT technology for inorganic Stock standards. So now this technology is also available for inorganic Custom standards.

Thanks to TCT, your custom standard can always be in stock.

Background

Last year Inorganic Ventures already introduced the TCT technology for inorganic Stock standards. So now this technology is also available for inorganic Custom standards.

tct-infographic-2

Transpiration refers to the wall of bottle allowing water vapor to pass through and/or through evaporation from the closed bottle opening. It leads to increase in the concentration of the CRM/RM.

Transpiration Control Technology extends the shelf life of the product. Inorganic Ventures uses a specially aluminized bag that prevents an increase in concentration until the bag is opened. The sealed TCT bag stops the loss of water vapor from the bottle when equilibrium is reached in the bag. So it is the same high quality product as you have come to expect from them, but even more improved.

To explain the problem and the technology of the solution, Inorganic Ventures has developed a series of animations explaining the frustrations surrounding perspiration. This series is by chemists for chemists.

The latest animation is called “I’m just a Custom Standard“:

to page CRM calibration standards from Inorganic Ventures

Alternative for Gas Cylinders

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Gas cylinders in the laboratory or workshop involve risks. Think of gas cylinders that leak with the risk of explosion as a result. And, depending on the type of gas, could potentially cause asphyxiation. In addition, moving can sometimes be a difficult and dangerous undertaking. In fact, having high-pressure cylinder bottles near your employees is an undesirable situation. Finally, there are measures that must be taken to comply with the regulations for gas cylinders.

Fortunately, there is an alternative, namely gas generators. Advantages of this compared to gas bottles are:

  • No explosion hazard
  • Easy to move
  • They don’t run out and don’t need to be replaced
  • Consistent gas purity
  • Economically beneficial

A gas generator only supplies gas when your instrument asks for it. If your instrument is on standby or turned off, the generator will not generate any gas. In the situation that an instrument has to be moved, the generator can be moved more easily. So no hassle to re-install the piping.

Nothing is more annoying if you no longer have spare gas bottles when a gas bottle runs out. It can just happen that there are delivery problems or employees have forgotten to check the gas bottles, resulting in an empty gas bottle. A generator will not run out and will continue to generate gas and will not need to be disconnected.

Perhaps the most important reason for your analysis is consistent gas purity. A gas generator supplies a constant quality of gas, while the purity of gas from a bottle can differ per bottle. That is undesirable for your instrument and analysis results.

The price of gas cylinders is increasing every year. Gas is becoming more expensive and its supply costs are increasing.

Investing in a gas generator has a payback period of approximately 6 to 12 months. This of course depends on your situation.

Instrument Solutions represents Claind Gas Generators and Purifiers. With over 40 years of experience, their gas generators provide a safer and economical way to supply clean gases. Claind’s generators generate pure Hydrogen (H2), Nitrogen (N2) or pure air (O2) for GC, LC-MS, TOC and many other applications.

If you think that gas generators can replace your gas bottles, but you want to know what is possible for your specific situation, our specialists Sina Saidifar and Jan Volkers can advise you without obligation.

More information about Claind gas generators

pH buffers speciaal voor USP<791>

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Bent u werkzaam in de farmaceutische industrie én verantwoordelijk voor het onderhoud van de ijking van de pH-meter(s) in overeenstemming met USP <791>? CRM’s van Inorganic Ventures bieden vertrouwen, zekerheid en support!

De pH buffers van Inorganic Ventures zijn NIST-traceerbaar en vervaardigd en getest volgens ISO 17034 en ISO 17025 richtlijnen. Elke standaard gaat vergezeld van een gedetailleerd analysecertificaat (CoA), met gecertificeerde waarden voor meerdere temperaturen. Bovendien zijn deze oplossingen geformuleerd om te voldoen aan USP <791> specificaties en zijn direct uit de fles klaar voor gebruik.

Eigenschappen van pH buffers:

  • NIST-herleidbare standaarden, gecertificeerd binnen 5% van de nominale waarden en bijbehorende onzekerheden van niet meer dan 0,05 pH-eenheden.
  • Verpakt in Transpiration Control Technologie (TCT), die de wetenschappelijke integriteit garandeert tot 5 jaar vanaf de datum van productie.
  • Klaar voor gebruik zonder voorbereiding nodig.

Wij bieden een complete lijn van pH ijkstandaarden standaarden, geschikt voor ijking zoals zoals gespecificeerd in USP <791>:

  • pH-1.68
  • pH-4.01
  • pH-6.86
  • pH-9.18
  • pH-10.01
  • pH-12.45 *

* Om de stabiliteit van de oplossing te waarborgen, is pH 12,45 geformuleerd met behulp van KCl/NaOH.

Hebt u een specifieke pH-waarde of formulering nodig die hierboven niet wordt vermeld?

Inorganic Ventures heeft de wetenschappelijke expertise om formules te verfijnen en aan uw specifieke behoeften te voldoen.
Neem gewoon contact met ons op voor een aangepaste offerte of voor meer informatie over onze volledige pH buffer stock standaarden.

 

Nieuw MultiVIEW magnetron ontsluitingssysteem

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SCP Science heeft een uniek, volautomatische magnetron ontsluitingstunnel gelanceerd; de MultiVIEW. SamplePrep voor de ICP-OES en/of ICP-MS analyse.

Bijzonder aan dit systeem is dat grote reeksen monsters die uiteenlopend van aard zijn achter elkaar ontsloten kunnen worden. Dit als monstervoorbewerking voor analyse met de ICP-OES of ICP-MS. Per individueel monster kan dan ook een andere temperatuur gestuurde methode worden toegewezen!

Dit is mogelijk omdat het systeem uitgerust is met 12 dynamische Microwave Cavities die per positie afzonderlijk regelbaar zijn. Iedere positie is uitgerust met een eigen magnetron en IR  temperatuursensor.

Van alle 12 posities wordt real time weergave van temperatuur versus tijd getoond.

In combinatie met 4  AutoLOADER units is het mogelijk om tot 300 monsters automatisch achter elkaar te ontsluiten.

Het systeem wordt geleverd met een geïntegreerd 15” kleuren Touch Screen dat alle operationele parameters overzichtelijk in beeld brengt. Het scherm beschikt over een gebruiksvriendelijke intuïtieve interface die tijdens de run de ontsluitingsparameters laat zien en waarmee u de run op ieder moment kan wijzigen of stoppen.

Als het nodig is om in te zoomen op een afzonderlijk monster, dan kan dat. U kunt een monster op een volledig scherm bekijken met maximale details.  Ter informatie wordt ook de intensiteit van de magnetron power weergegeven.

Brochure MultiVIEW
Productpagina MultiVIEW
Home

 

 

Maintenance ICP-MS Cones

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Maintenance of ICP-MS cones

use your Cones longer, practical tips and background information

Introduction

Troubleshooting and maintaining your ICP-MS sample introduction system can be a daunting task. However, not following proper maintenance

on a regularly scheduled basis can be costly. This is especially true particular for ICP-MS laboratories that handle a large number of samples. In this article, we highlight why, when and how to maintain your ICP-MS interface Cones, as well as the importance of conditioning the Cone. Also discussed are the advantages of platinum (Pt) coated Cones. It should be noted that these are recommended maintenance guidelines, many of which are borrowed from the ICP-MS manufacturers. Always consult the recommended maintenance guidelines from the manufacturer of your instrument

Most Common Problems

The most common type of problems with ICP-MS Cones are related to clogging of the Orifice or due to corrosion. The interface cones are also very fragile, especially the tip. Damage to the tip changes the diameter of the Orifice and the performance of the Cone. Using Cones that are in poor condition for your ICP-MS can lead to increased background signal, Memory effects, loss of sensitivity and poor precision. All of this can lead to interrupted analyses and having to re-run sample sequences, resulting in lost time and reduced profits.

When to clean?

Frequency

The frequency with which they need to be cleaned is highly dependent on the
application and the load on the instrument. Excessive cleaning can lead to a shorter life, so unnecessary cleaning should be avoided. If the samples are clean and the usage is low, the Cones may only need to be cleaned monthly. But if, for example, the instrument is in continuous use, and/or the samples contain high levels of dissolved solids or are highly corrosive, then the Cones will need to be cleaned daily.

Sample types

If your laboratory analyzes different types of samples, it may be necessary to clean the Cones in between. For example, one sample matrix contains a high concentration of an element to be analyzed and another matrix is that same element at trace level. To avoid cross-contamination, clean the Cones in between.

Visible Deposits

If there are visible deposits near the opening or if the opening is blocked or distorted. As mentioned above, a deterioration in the performance of the ICP-MS may also indicate that the Cones may need to be cleaned. In particular, watch for increased background signal, Memory effects, loss of sensitivity, or distorted peak shapes.

Change in Vacuum Measurement

A change in the vacuum measurement of the instrument may also indicate problems with the Cones. If the orifice is blocked, the vacuum will increase (pressure drop). A deterioration in the measurement results will be noticeable before this point. If the vacuum decreases (and the pressure increases), this may indicate that the orifice has worn out and become larger. If this occurs, the Cone should be replaced. Since the Sampler Cone is more exposed to the plasma, it will usually need to be cleaned more often than the Skimmer Cone. If instrument performance does not improve after cleaning, the Cones may need to be replaced or refurbished (Pt tipped).

Mode of cleaning

The method of cleaning also depends on the application. If the samples are relatively clean, gentle cleaning is sufficient. In some cases, routine cleaning with a cotton swab and DI water is appropriate. But if the samples contain high levels of dissolved solids or are highly corrosive, a more aggressive cleaning procedure is required. A diluted Citranox solution is a gentle and effective cleaning agent and we recommend trying this first. If Citranox is not effective, it may be necessary to use a more aggressive cleaning agent such as nitric acid.

However, we recommend using nitric acid only when necessary. Nitric acid is more corrosive than Citranox and prolonged use will shorten the life of the Cones. Even Citranox will corrode the copper Cones, so they should not be exposed to high concentrations of Citranox or prolonged exposure to it.

Thread Protection

When cleaning threaded Cones, it is important that the threads do not come into contact with a corrosive solution. If the threads become corroded, the Cone may not seal properly or may adhere to the base and be difficult to remove. And with Pt-tipped cones, there is a good chance that the threads for the Pt insert will wear out. It is also important to keep the threads in good condition to prevent the possibility of thread deformation and possible damage to the instrument body. Glass Expansion has developed the ConeGuard Thread Protector to seal the threads and protect them from corrosion during the cleaning process. The ConeGuard is simply screwed onto the threaded portion of the Cone and O-ring seals prevent the solution from coming into contact with the thread.

Pre-soaking

Pre-soaking the Cones in a cleaning agent such as Fluka RBS-25 before cleaning with Citranox or nitric acid helps in the cleaning process. Citranox is produced by Alconox Inc. (www.alconox.com) and Fluka RBS-25 by Sigma-Aldrich. Fluka is available through us (P/N FLUKA25). Always use safety glasses and gloves. Be careful when handling the Cones; the tip is very easy to damage. Hold the Cone by the edge and use only light pressure with your hand when cleaning the tip. Never use tools to clean Cones. The cleaning process does not necessarily reproduce the original, newly polished appearance. Sample deposits should be removed, but it is usually not a problem if the Cone is discolored. This may even result in a more stable signal (see Cone Conditioning).

Cleaning Methods

There are three common methods of cleaning Cones. The recommended Citranox and nitric acid concentrations, and cleaning times, should be used as guidelines only. Given the wide range of ICP-MS applications and samples, you may need to experiment a bit to find the best cleaning procedure for your application. We recommend that you do not use more nitric acid than necessary, as it will corrode the Cone. If nitric acid is used excessively, the size of the Cone opening may be increased. If this happens, or if the tip is damaged or deformed, then the Cone should be replaced.

The following cleaning methods are listed, from the simplest and gentlest, Method A, to the most thorough and aggressive, Method C.

Method A: Soak in Citranox daily or weekly, depending on the application.

1.Soak the Cones overnight in a 25% solution (4x dilution) of Fluka RBS-25. 2. Rinse with deionized water. 3. Place the Cones in a 2% Citranox solution and soak for approximately 10 minutes. 4. Wipe with a soft cloth or with Kimwipe dipped in the Citranox solution. 5. Wash thoroughly with deionized water. 6. Place Cones in deionized water and soak for 2 minutes to remove any remaining Citranox. 7. Change the deionized water and repeat step 6 at least twice – the Cones should be washed at least three times, each time with fresh deionized water. 8. Rinse with deionized water and allow to dry or blow dry with clean argon or nitrogen. Make sure the Coness are completely dry. It may help to heat them in a laboratory oven at approximately 60 °C

Method B: Ultrasonic cleaning in Citranox, daily or weekly, depending on the application.

Soak Cones overnight in a 25% solution (4x dilution) of Fluka RBS-25. 2. Rinse with deionized water. 3. Be very careful to avoid damaging the tip of the Cone. The Cone should not be placed in the ultrasonic bath without being supported or enclosed. One way to avoid damage is to place the Cone in a sealable plastic bag half filled with a 2% Citranox solution and float the bag in the ultrasonic bath. Make sure the bag floats so that the Cone does not rest on the bottom or touch the walls of the bath. This also minimizes the volume of Citranox used because the bath can be filled with water. 4. Place in ultrasonic bath for 5 minutes. 5. Wipe with a soft cloth or Kimwipe dipped in the Citranox solution. 6. Wash thoroughly with deionized water. 7. Replace the Citranox with deionized water and sonicate for 2 minutes to remove any remaining Citranox. 8. Replace the deionized water and repeat step 6 at least twice – the Cones should be washed at least three times in the ultrasonic bath, using fresh deionized water each time. 9. Rinse with deionized water and allow to dry or blow dry with clean argon or nitrogen. Make sure the Cones are completely dry. It may help to heat them in a laboratory oven at about 60 °C.

Method C: Ultrasonic cleaning in Nitric Acid, weekly or monthly, depending on the application.

Soak the Cone overnight in a 25% solution (4x dilution) of Fluka RBS-25. 2. Rinse with deionized water. 3. Be very careful to avoid damaging the tip of the Cone. The Cone should not be placed in the ultrasonic bath without being supported or enclosed. One way to avoid damage is to place the Cone in a sealable plastic bag half filled with 5% nitric acid and float the bag in the ultrasonic bath. Make sure the bag floats so that the Cone does not rest on the bottom or touch the walls of the bath. This also minimizes the volume of nitric acid used since the bath can be filled with water. 4. Place in ultrasonic bath for 5 minutes. 5. Wipe with a soft cloth. 6. Wash thoroughly with deionized water. 7. Replace the nitric acid with deionized water and sonicate for 2 minutes to remove any residual nitric acid. 8. Replace the deionized water and repeat step 6 at least twice (the Cones should be washed at least three times in the ultrasonic bath), using fresh deionized water each time. 9. Rinse with deionized water and allow to dry or blow dry with clean argon or nitrogen. Make sure the Cones are completely dry. It may help to heat them in a laboratory oven at about 60 °C. After cleaning your Sampler and Skimmer Cone, it is also important to check the condition of the Cone’s consumables. Many Sampler and Skimmer Cones rely on a gasket or O-ring for a good seal. Installing a new or recently cleaned Cone with a worn gasket or O-ring can prevent proper vacuum and result in rapid overheating of the Cone. Some Cones require additional screws for installation within the interface. Heavily corroded screws can lead to the same problems and in some cases result in an increased iron background, as many of the screws are made of steel. You don’t want to ruin a Cone for an O-ring or gasket. Therefore, we recommend replacing the Sampler’s gasket every time you replace the Sampler Cone to ensure a good seal. Check the condition of the O-rings regularly and replace them if they show signs of cracking.

Cone Conditioning

To ensure the lowest background levels of copper and nickel, conditioning of Cones before use is recommended. A conditioned Cone with a uniform coating will also result in better long-term stability. Brand new Cones and Cones that have been cleaned should be conditioned before use. To condition your Cones, prepare the following conditioning solutions:

  • 1.0% nitric acid solution
  • 50 ppm calcium in 1.0% nitric acid.

Install the new Cones or recently cleaned Cones in the instrument. Turn on the plasma and set robust plasma conditions:

  1. Aspirate the 50 ppm calcium solution for 10 minutes
  2. Switch to the 1.0% nitric acid solution and aspirate for another 10 minutes.

Another recommended procedure for conditioning the Cone is to aspirate your highest matrix sample for at least 30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of aspirating your blank or rinsing the solution. This method is useful if your laboratory analyzes a common matrix every day.

Platinum Tipped Cones

When treating a high TDS matrix analyzed by ICP-MS, Pt-Cones are often preferred in place of Ni. The Pt insert becomes warmer than Ni, which slows the buildup of salts at the aperture. This allows the ICP-MS analyst to work longer before maintenance on the Cones is required. Pt tipped Cones are also recommended for the analysis of sample matrices containing aggressive acids such as hydrofluoric acid (HF), sulfuric acid (H2SO4 ) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4 ). For the lowest detection limits, Pt-tipped Cones are often used in the semiconductor industry. For more aggressive samples, for example a combination of high TDS and high acid concentration, a Sampler Cone with a larger diameter Pt insert can be used. For some ICP-MS models, a Sampler is available with a 10, 15 or 18 mm Pt insert. The larger insert provides a much longer life due to the larger surface area. A Glass Expansion customer found that the 15 mm and 18 mm inserts lasted 18-24 months compared to 6-8 months with the 10 mm inserts, or as long as the Orifice was good.

Options for Agilent ICP-MS instruments

For Agilent ICP-MS instruments, a variety of different Cones and Skimmer Insert combinations are available from manufacturer Glass Expansion so that the best option can be chosen for your laboratory. As an example, Glass Expansion’s Sampler and Skimmer Insert options for the Agilent 7900 ICP-MS are listed in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively. It is recommended that Pt Skimmer Cones be used with a brass Skimmer base and Ni Skimmer Cones be used with a stainless steel Skimmer base. Choosing the correct Skimmer base helps prevent overheating and extends the life of the Skimmer Cone.


Table 1. Glass Expansion Agilent 7900 Sampler Cone Options
DescriptionP/NOEM P/N
Recommendation
Nickel sampler coneAT7701-NiG3280-67040
Standard with x-lens, suitable for most applications
Nickel plated Nickel
sampler cone		AT7701-Ni/NiG3280-67061For samples with > 0.5% HCl or for routine operation with UHMI
Aluminum sampler coneAT7701-AlFor lowest nickel background and laser ablation applications
Platinum sampler coneAT7706-PtG3280-67036
Standard with s-lens, for lowest detection limits and for higher matrix samples with
x-lens
Platinum sampler cone (18
mm insert)		AT7706A-PtG3280-67056
For use with high viscosity, high boiling point acids
Platinum sampler cone
Boron Free		AT7706-Pt-BFFor lowest boron background
Nickel plated Platinum
sample cone		AT7706-Pt/NiPIncreased durability for samples with > 0.5% HCl
Platinum sampler cone with
Nickel base		AT7706-Pt/NiUsed when cone deposition is rapid due to high TDS
Platinum sampler cone (15
mm insert) with Nickel base		AT7706B-Pt/NiFor use when cone deposition is rapid due to high TDS and increased durability
requied

Table 2. Glass Expansion Agilent 7900 Skimmer Cone Options
DescriptionP/NOEM P/NRecommendation
Nickel skimmer cone for
x-lens		AT7902X-NiG8400-67200Standard with x-lens, suitable for most applications
Aluminum skimmer cone for
x-lens		AT7902X-AlFor lowest nickel background and laser ablation applications
Platinum skimmer cone
Copper base for x-lens		AT7908X-PtG8400-67201Lowest detection limits and high matrix samples
Platinum skimmer cone
Nickel base for x-lens		AT7908X-Pt/NiG8400-67202Organic analysis with x-lens
Nickel skimmer cone for
s-lens		AT7702S-NiG3280-67066Economical option for the s-lens
Copper skimmer cone for
s-lens		AT7702S-CuG3280-67067Economical option for the s-lens
Platinum skimmer cone
Copper base for s-lens		AT7708S-PtG3280-67064Standard with s-lens, aggressive acids and lowest detection limits
Platinum skimmer cone
Nickel base for s-lens		AT7708S-Pt/NiG3280-67065Organic analysis with s-lens

Table 3. Glass Expansion Cone Availability
ICP-MS ManufacturerNiAlPtPt -Boron FreeCu
AgilentXXXXX
Fluidigm (TOF-ICP-MS)X
Nu InstrumentsXX
PerkinElmerXX
XX
ShimadzuXXX
ThermoXXXX

Texst: Ryan Brennan en Justin Masone van Glass Expansion, USA

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