ABSTRACT
Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is a new tool that can provide the element composition, size distribution, and number concentration of nanoparticles. Here we discussed the effects of dwell time and settling time on analysis of nanoparticles by SP-ICP-MS. We analyzed standard materials of gold nanoparticles (30, 40 and 60 nm AuNPs, from NIST and NCNST), showing that better signal-to-noise ratio and higher determination efficiency could be achived when using shorter dwell time and settling time. We utilized a nano mode for SP-ICP-MS, in which the dwell time was set as 0. 05 ms and the settling time was 0. The size of NIST AuNP standard material determined here was in accord with the certified size using the developed method. The detection limits of size and number concentration of AuNPs were 8 nm and 1. 1×105 particle / L, respectively.