ICP analysis (ICP-MS and ICP-AES/ICP-OES) in a laboratory
What is ICP analysis?
ICP, short for "Inductively Coupled Plasma", is an inductively coupled plasma analytical technique for measuring the content of an inorganic element in a sample. The technique is applicable to all types of elemental chemical elements.
ICP sample analysis involves several steps. Firstly, the solid sample must be brought into solution using a strong acid, a mixture of strong acids or microwaves. This is known as mineralization. The preparation is then introduced by argon plasma vaporization, then placed at very high temperatures. These thermal excitations lead to ionization and separation of the elements, making it possible to characterize and detect each element, depending on the analyzer used.
Some fifteen ICPs at the service of your industries
ICPs coupled to Atomic Emission Spectrometers (ICP-AES or ICP-OES) measure the wavelengths emitted by ions.
Sensitivity : High for high and medium concentrations.
Applications : Quantitative analysis of elements and traces, and industrial quality control.
ICPs coupled to Mass Spectrometers (ICP-MS or ICP-MS/MS) for elemental analysis by charge and mass.
Sensitivity : Very high, suitable for traces and ultra-traces.
Applications : Trace and ultra-trace analysis, e.g. for environmental or pharmaceutical applications.
Did you know it?
ICP MS-MS is a technique identical to ICP-MS, which uses new intermediate gases to suppress powerful interferences, even in the most difficult matrices. This technique also offers an even lower detection limit than conventional ICP. It even enables the determination of certain alkalis at very low quantification limits.
FILAB is the first independent, private laboratory in France to be equipped with an ICP-MS/MS.
Our ICP analyses
Heavy metal testing is a laboratory method used to identify and quantify metals in a sample.
The ICH Q3D Directive provides for an initial risk assessment phase, based on document analysis or analytical screening in the laboratory, including qualitative and semi-quantitative screening and determination of impurities by ICP-AES and ICP-MS.
A deposit or pollution may be metallic, mineral or organic in nature.
The homologation of a new mineral material consists in officially validating its characteristics and use in accordance with current standards and regulations.
Single Particle SP-ICP-MS nanoparticle analysis enables individual nanoparticles in a sample to be characterized and quantified, offering unprecedented precision on their size and concentration.
FILAB performs inorganic and mineral analyses by ICP-MS or ICP-AES on all types of matrices, and can also :
Our expertise by ICP
Tailor-made development of analytical methods with the human and technical resources to meet your needs.
We facilitate the transfer of analytical methods to your laboratories, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition for your team.
We validate protocols in line with current guidelines, guaranteeing compliance with current standards and regulations.
We offer tailor-made training courses, adapted to the specific needs of our customers, to master the ICP analysis technique.
Our FAQ
What is the purpose of ICPs coupled to Atomic Emission Spectrometers?
ICP coupled with atomic emission spectrometers (ICP-AES) is an analytical tool that can be used for the elemental analysis of samples. The combination of ICP and AES provides a highly sensitive and accurate method for analyzing the concentrations of many different elements present in a sample. This technique is widely used in the metallurgy, pharmaceutical and food industries... ICP-AES has been widely adopted by laboratories around the world for its accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
The method involves introducing a sample into an ICP source which excites the sample atoms with an electric arc or laser beam to produce characteristic emission lines based on the atomic structure of each atom present. These emission lines are measured and analyzed to determine the concentration of each element in the sample. The ICP-AES method is capable of detecting most elements at concentrations as low as parts per million.
In addition to its accuracy and cost-effectiveness, one of the advantages of the ICP-AES method is that it can be used on a variety of sample types - solid samples, liquid samples or even gases can be analyzed. It also requires minimal sample preparation and very little instrument maintenance. For these reasons, ICP-AES has become one of the most popular techniques for elemental analysis in many industries.
What is inductively coupled plasma spectrometry?
Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectrometry is a technique used to measure the concentration of elements in samples. It involves introducing a sample into an ICP source, which excites the sample atoms with an electric arc or laser beam and produces characteristic emission lines based on the atomic structure of each element present. These emission lines can then be measured and analyzed to determine the concentration of each element in the sample. ICP is a precise and cost-effective method for elemental analysis and is widely used by laboratories around the world.
What are the applications of ICP spectroscopy?
ICP spectroscopy has many applications in a variety of sectors and fields. It can be used to analyze soil, wastewater, food and other environmental samples. It is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry to measure trace elements in drugs, as well as for quality assurance purposes. ICP spectroscopy can also be used in forensics and archaeology to analyze samples from crime scenes or ancient artifacts. In addition, it is a valuable tool for the analysis of precious metals, helping companies to determine the exact composition of gold, silver and platinum alloys. In general, ICP spectroscopy can be used for many different analytical applications requiring elemental analysis.
What are the advantages of ICP-AES and ICP-MS coupling?
The combination of ICP-AES and ICP-MS makes it possible to determine a wide range of inorganic elements and elemental impurities in a single run, with extreme reliability and precision (in the ppt to ppb range, depending on the matrix).
What are the differences between ICP MS and ICP MS MS analysis?
ICP-MS and ICP-MS/MS are two techniques that enable precise identification and quantification of chemical elements, even at very low concentrations.
While ICP-MS is widely adopted for its ability to detect trace elements in a multitude of materials, ICP-MS/MS stands out for its ability to eliminate interferences and provide more reliable results in complex matrices. This latter feature makes ICP-MS/MS particularly interesting when the purity and exact composition of materials are critical, as in the pharmaceutical industry for drug safety and contaminant control.
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