A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction

Pascal E. Verboket; Olga Borovinskaya; Nicole Meyer; Detlef G&#252;nther; Petra S. Dittrich

doi:10.3791/52525

A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction

JoVE Journal
Bioengineering

A subscription to JoVE is required to view this content. Sign in or start your free trial.

JoVE Journal Bioengineering

A Microfluidic Chip for ICPMS Sample Introduction

Full Text

11,820 Views

11:16 min

March 5, 2015

DOI: 10.3791/52525-v

Pascal E. Verboket¹, Olga Borovinskaya¹, Nicole Meyer¹, Detlef Günther¹, Petra S. Dittrich¹

¹Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences,ETH Zurich

Overview

This article presents a discrete droplet sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The system utilizes a cost-effective microfluidic chip to generate highly monodisperse droplets in the size range of 40−60 µm at frequencies from 90 to 7,000 Hz.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Mass spectrometry
Microfluidics
Analytical chemistry

Background

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) is a powerful analytical technique.
Microfluidic systems enable precise control over fluid dynamics.
Monodisperse droplets are essential for consistent sample analysis.
PDMS is commonly used in microfluidic chip fabrication.

Purpose of Study

To generate and analyze the elemental composition of monodispersed micro droplets.
To facilitate the analysis of single cells or aqueous solutions.
To improve the efficiency of sample introduction in ICPMS.

Methods Used

Fabrication of a microfluidic chip using replica molding with PDMS.
Connection of syringe pumps to supply aqueous samples and organic carrier phases.
Generation of monodisperse droplets through flow focusing.
Evaporation of droplets and removal of solvents prior to ionization and detection.

Main Results

Successful generation of monodisperse droplets in the desired size range.
Efficient sample introduction into the ICPMS system.
Quantitative analysis of elemental composition achieved.
Demonstration of the system's effectiveness for single cell analysis.

Conclusions

The developed system enhances the capabilities of ICPMS.
Microfluidic technology provides a viable solution for droplet generation.
Potential applications in various fields of analytical chemistry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ICPMS?

ICPMS stands for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, a technique used to analyze the elemental composition of samples.

How are monodisperse droplets generated?

Monodisperse droplets are generated using a microfluidic chip that employs flow focusing techniques.

What materials are used in the microfluidic chip?

The microfluidic chip is typically fabricated from PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane).

What are the advantages of using microfluidics in mass spectrometry?

Microfluidics allows for precise control over droplet size and composition, improving sample introduction efficiency.

Can this system analyze single cells?

Yes, the system is designed to analyze the elemental composition of single cells contained within the droplets.

What is the frequency range for droplet generation?

Droplets can be generated at frequencies ranging from 90 to 7,000 Hz.

We present a discrete droplet sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). It is based on a cheap and disposable microfluidic chip that generates highly monodisperse droplets in a size range of 40−60 µm at frequencies from 90 to 7,000 Hz.

The overall goal of this procedure is to generate and quantitatively analyze the elemental composition of mono dispersed micro droplets containing single cells or aqueous solutions by I-C-P-M-S. This is accomplished by first fabricating a microfluidic chip using replica molding with PDMS. The second step is to connect syringe pumps to the microfluidic chip.

The pumps will supply the aqueous sample and the highly volatile and admissible or organic carrier phase PFH. When the syringe pump is turned on, the microfluidic chip generates mono dispersed droplets of the aqueous sample solution or a cell suspension by flow, focusing with PFH and ejects these droplets with additional PFH from the chip as a liquid jet. The final step is to insert the chip into a transport assembly consisting of a cartridge heater that evaporates the droplets and a membrane de salvator that removes the solvents prior to the ionization and detection of the droplet content by an I-C-P-M-S.

View the full transcript and gain access to thousands of scientific videos