Elemental and isotopic analyses of individual nanoparticles using single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Sensitive and rapid technique for elemental analysis of individual nanoparticles is increasingly desired in various research fields such as geochemical, environmental, clinical, and biochemical sciences. Among the techniques, single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) becomes one of the principal choices for the analytical method because of both the simple sample preparation and high analytical throughput, realizing the statistical treatments of the resulting data obtained from large numbers of particles. The analytical capability of the spICP-MS is further improved by the combination of ICP ion source with various types of mass spectrometers including quadrupole-type instrument, multiple collector system setup equipped on magnetic sector, or superfast mass scanning data acquisition utilizing time of flight-type mass spectrometers. In this article, both the principles and applications of size, elemental, and isotopic analysis of nanoparticles using spICP-MS are critically reviewed.