Making ICP-MS tuning solutions

Normal tuning solution

This solution is used for all calibrations except the dual detector calibration (for this solution see below).

 

To a 100 ml volumetric flask add 0.1 ml of each of thirteen 1000 $mu;g/g single element solutions (Be, Mg, Fe, Co, Y, Rh, In, Ba, Ce, Lu, Pb, Th, U), 7 ml of high-purity HNO3, and dilute to volume. Transfer this to a clean storage bottle. Element concentration is 1 ppm.

 

To a clean 1000 ml volumetric flask add 1 ml of the stock solution (above) and 7 ml of high-purity HNO3, and dilute to volume. Element concentration is 1 ppb, acid is 0.5%.

Dual detector calibration solution

This calibration allows elements in samples to be measured by the detector in either the low sensitivity mode (>2 Mcps) or the high sensitivity mode (<2 Mcps). This calibration increases the accurate detector dynamic range by an additional factor of 100 or more. Make the solution as follows.

 

Fill a clean 1 L plastic bottle with deionized water and add 70 ml of high-purity HNO3. Add 0.2 ml of each of the 1000 μg/g single element solutions you think you will need in the future. Don't be stingy, more elements won't hurt anything. This will give you 200 ppb for each of the elements added. For a lot of common water and rock work, the elements Si, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Ba are probably enough. Fe is not needed because ArO+ is already in the procedure, as are several light masses.

 

If you need something else, you can add it to the bottle any time you want. Just estimate the amount of single element solution you need to add based on how much calibration solution is left in the 1 L bottle. The high acid concentration (5% wt/v) is to assure everything stays in solution. Exact concentrations don't matter.