Microconcentric nebuliser for the analysis of small sample volumes by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A microconcentric nebuliser was evaluated for the analysis of small volumes of sample. An optimum set of conditions was obtained for a range of analytes by optimisation of the nebuliser gas flow rate. The technique was evaluated by accurate analysis of reference material NIES No. 5 using just 100 mu l of sample. Recoveries between 95 and 106% were obtained for all the elements determined. The technique was then applied to the analysis of biological samples and to the analysis of a peptide, with multi-element analysis on less than 100 mu l of sample. Acceptable reproducibility and precision were obtained for both sample types. Recoveries between 95 and 118% were obtained for the biological samples and between 72 and 104% for the peptide samples. The microconcentric nebuliser permits a significant decrease in sample volume for multi-element analysis without loss of accuracy.