Evaluation of inductively coupled plasma high resolution mass spectrometry for sulfur determination in biodiesel and blends

Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is an instrumental technique with high analytical performance considering the multielementar capability and low instrumental limits of detection. However, besides the relatively simple mass spectrum, some elements, such as sulfur, are drastically affected by isobaric polyatomic interferences in spectrometers with quadrupole mass analyzer. These interferences are difficultly destroyed or overcome considering how close are the mass/charge ratio of the analyte and the interfering ion and the low resolution of the quadrupole. Thus, this research project propose the development of an analytical procedure for sulfur determination in biodiesel sample by inductively coupled plasma high resolution mass spectrometry (ICP-HRMS). Moreover, considering the high resolution of the equipment, it will be also possible to get more information about the spectral environment and to obtain a better understanding of spectral interferences that affect sulfur determination in the ICP-MS with quadrupole analyzer available at the Group of Applied Instrumental Analysis (GAIA). (AU)