Development of a new method for the separation of vanadium species and chloride interference removal using modified silica capillaries-DIN-ICP-MS

A new on-line method for the separation of vanadium (IV) and vanadium (V) as well as for the removal of ClO+ mass spectral interference on vanadium determination by quadrupole-ICP-MS has been developed. The sample introduction system consists of a modified fused silica capillary coupled to a direct injection nebuliser (DIN), between the solvent delivery system and the ICP. Fused silica capillaries were treated with different anion and cation exchanger reagents and were tested for the retention of Cl- and the separation of vanadium ions at mug l(-1) levels. A suitable strong anion exchanger functional group (3-aminopropyltrimethoxy silane) was selected. Chlorine anions were retained in this anionic capillary and the separation between V(IV) and V(V) was possible in the pH range 2-4. The selections of instrumental ICP-MS conditions for the minimisation of the ClO+ interference were carefully considered. Factors affecting the chromatographic separation such as sample pH, sample flow rate, effect of methanol in the mobile phase and length of the capillary for the separation were optimised. The proposed methodology provides a simple and rapid method for vanadium speciation. A relative detection limit of 12 l(-1) (i.e. absolute detection limits of 120 pg) for V(IV) based on peak height measurements was obtained. The relative standard deviation for V(IV) was 2.4% for a 10 mul injection (n=6). (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.