Trace-level determination and insight in speciation of silicon in petrochemical samples by flow-injection high resolution ICP MS and HPLC-high resolution ICP MS

Abstract

A method for the determination of silicon in organic solutions was developed using a double focusing magnetic sector ICP MS operating at a resolution of 4000. The signal-to-background ratio was improved 10-fold over standard sample introduction systems by the use of micro-flow injection total consumption sample introduction. The detection limits down to 1 ng g -1, the calibration graph linear over 4 orders of magnitude and precision to within a few percent were obtained. The effects of the sample matrix and of the chemical form of silicon on the sensitivity were investigated and alleviated when necessary by heating the spray chamber and sample dilution. Normal phase HPLC-ICP MS and size-exclusion ICP MS were proposed to gain an insight into the purity of the silicon standard compounds, their reactivity with different petroleum-related matrices and speciation of silicon. © 2010 The Royal Society of Chemistry.