It is essential to the accuracy and durability of your ICP-MS system that you use interface cones of high quality. In addition, they are one of the supplies that contribute the most to the overall cost of running an ICP-MS instrument.
Investing in the appropriate ICP MS Cones is essential for preserving the value of your equipment. See the relevant guides below to ensure you purchase the correct cone for your needs.
About ICP MS Cone
An interface cone’s tip and orifice must have exact dimensions to guarantee instrument sensitivity. The material must be of high enough quality for the cone not to have a blurry signal or become tainted. Each cone has to have a constant and well-controlled mass to achieve the ideal working temperature somewhere at the tip, which in turn guarantees a stable signal over the long term.
- Materials of high purity that both reduce background and assure the stability of the plasma
- Nickel is an element that may be used in a wide variety of applications and offers the most cost-effective operation
- Platinum is essential for analyzing aggressive acids
- Few cones are available in aluminum
Tips to Pick ICP MS Cone
- It would help if you opted for economical Ni-tipped cones in everyday applications since they have excellent chemical resistance and a long lifespan.
- Pick out Pt-tipped cones if you want chemical resistance to strong matrices and the least backgrounds necessary for trace analysis.
- When evaluating matrices containing HCl, Aqua Regia, or HF, cones with Ni-plated copper bases have a longer lifespan and need less maintenance than those without these coatings.
- Cones provide high sensitivity over the mass range and come with a quality inspection guaranteed to be 100 percent accurate.
- When you take the sampling cone off, inspect the graphite gasket (part number G3280-67009) and replace it if it’s broken.
- Cone orifice examination is made much easier with the handy ICP-MS interface cone magnifier tool (5190-9614), which ensures dependable cone performance.
Cone Ideal for Your Need
The Nickel Tip with Copper Base
- The x-lens is a standard feature
- It’s a good fit for the vast majority of typical uses
- Assures the most cost-effective functioning
The Nickel Tip with a Nickel-plated Base
- For all models, this feature is optional
- In the case of samples that have significant concentrations of salts and chloride matrices
- Ideal for use in normal operations using (u)HMI that need a high aerosol dilution ratio (>8x).
The Platinum Tip with the Copper Base
- All s-lens cameras come equipped with this feature by default (semiconductor configuration)
- In all x-lens models, this feature is optional.
- Highly suggested for lower limits of detection and higher-matrix samples.
- Need for evaluating strong acids (particularly HF), as well as when using the O2/Ar option gas to analyze organic solvents
The Platinum Tip with Nickel-plated Base
- It offers options for all models
- Highly recommended for use in the analysis of harsh acids, particularly HCl, HF, and HClO4, as well as samples with a higher matrix.
The 18 mm Large Platinum Lip with Copper Base
- An optional feature for all models
- Suggested for the highest matrix samples and the lowest levels of detection limit
- Compatible with acids that have a high boiling point and a high viscosity (i.e., H2SO4 or H3PO4)
Conclusion
The cone-shaped ICP-MS sampler, a component of the interface zone, is responsible for transferring ions from the ambient plasma into the high-vacuum MS for detection. Picking the right suitable for your needs is critical before purchasing something. Learning and gaining knowledge before anything else is important in saving money and providing benefits that suit your preferences.
References: https://www.icpms.com/consumables-and-supplies/cones/
https://www.agilent.com/en/promotions/icp-ms-cone-selection-guide
