LAUSR

The applicability of single particle ICP-MS (SP-ICP-MS) for the analysis of nanoparticle size distributions and the determination of particle numbers was evaluated using the rare earth oxide, La2O3, as a model particle. The composition of the storage containers, as well as the ICP-MS sample introduction system were found to significantly impact SP-ICP-MS analysis. While La2O3 nanoparticles (La2O3 NP) did not appear to interact strongly with sample containers, adsorptive losses of La3+(over 24h) were substantial (>72%) for fluorinated ethylene propylene bottles as opposed to polypropylene (<10%). Furthermore, each part of the sample introduction system (nebulizers made of perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA) or glass, PFA capillary tubing, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) peristaltic pump tubing) contributed to La3+ adsorptive losses. On the other hand, the presence of natural organic matter in the nanoparticle suspensions led to a decreased adsorptive loss in both the sample containers and the introduction system, suggesting that SP-ICP-MS may nonetheless be appropriate for NP analysis in environmental matrices. Coupling of an ion-exchange resin to the SP-ICP-MS led to more accurate determinations of the La2O3 NP size distributions.