Size Analysis of Small Metal Nanoparticles Using Single Particle ICP Mass Spectrometry

For size analysis of small nanoparticles (i.e., smaller than 10 nm) using spICP-MS, two approaches were employed to improve the signal-to-noise ratio ion signals emanating from nanoparticles. The first one was enhancement instrumental sensitivity a desolvating system. second approach separation background through deconvolution method. A combination these enabled us measure 5 nm gold nanoparticles, and calculated detection limit 3.8 nm.