Dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS for determination of total As, Cr, Se and V in complex matrices: Still a challenge? A review

Abstract Mass interferences, caused by atomic or polyatomic species and having the same mass/charge ratio of the analyte, can be a severe limit for a reliable assay of trace and ultratrace elements by ICP-MS. The DRC™ technology uses a reaction gas to overcome these interferences. Reactions of charge exchange, atom transfer, adduct formation, condensation and analyte association/condensation are the main mechanisms. Interfering ions tend to react with the gas exothermally, while, the analyte reacts endothermally. Selecting the most appropriate reaction gas in DRC-ICP-MS is the very critical point for the determination of strongly interfered elements. A careful evaluation of the reaction mechanisms and the chemistry involved are required. The DRC allows the use of different gases, among them, ammonia (NH 3 ), methane (CH 4 ), hydrogen (H 2 ) and oxygen (O 2 ) are the most known, but there are other potentially useful gases like nitrous oxide (N 2 O), nitrogen oxide (NO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), fluoromethane (CH 3 F), sulphur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) and carbon disulfide (CS 2 ). This paper provides a review on the analytical challenges for a reliable assay of As, Cr, Se and V by DRC-ICP-MS and illustrates different approaches and mechanisms involved in the analysis of polymers, biological fluids (serum, urine and whole blood), rock, soil and particulate matter.