一种高精密度非同位素稀释分析方法研究

Development and Application of a High-Precision Pseudo-Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry Method

  • 摘要: 痕量元素高精密度定量分析是材料、环境及核科学领域的重要研究内容,而传统高置信度同位素稀释质谱(IDMS)法的应用受限于目标元素的多同位素丰度和已知浓度的稀释剂。为此,本研究提出并确证了一种普适性的非同位素稀释质谱(Pseudo-IDMS)法,以实现单质量数元素(如45Sc、89Y、169Tm、197Au)与无合适稀释剂体系元素(如237Np)的高精度定量分析。本研究聚焦于跨元素质量分馏效应的精确校正,选取Sc-Ti/V、Y-Sr、Tm-Ho/Er/Yb、Au-Pt及237Np-U/Pu等典型体系,基于三重四极杆电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS/MS)与多接收电感耦合等离子体质谱(MC-ICP-MS),评估了质量分馏行为,并构建了可靠的校正模型。研究表明,对于ICP-MS/MS分析,质量分馏效应校正需依赖于校准标准,对Sc、Y、Tm、Au的测量精密度分别优于1.20%、0.35%、0.30%和0.40%(2σ),显著优于常规外标法(3%~7%);而对于MC-ICP-MS分析,则可利用质量邻近的同位素标准物质实现更灵活的跨元素分馏校正,对超痕量元素237Np的检出限可达10−16 g/g级,对10−13 g/g级样品的测量精密度可达1.82%(2σ)。最后,该方法成功应用于新疆土壤样品中237Np的准确定量。本研究通过系统性解决跨元素质量分馏的校正难题,突破了IDMS对浓缩同位素的固有依赖,为痕量元素的精准定量提供了高通量(单样约10 min)、高精度的技术支撑,在核素监测、新材料研发及生物标记等领域具有广阔的应用前景。

     

    Abstract: High-precision quantitative analysis of trace elements constitutes a pivotal research focus in materials science, environmental monitoring, and nuclear science. Conventional external calibration or internal standardization methods are widely used, yet their measurement accuracy is frequently compromised by instrumental signal instability and matrix effects. Meanwhile, the application of high-confidence isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) is fundamentally constrained by the requirement for elements with multiple stable isotopes and the limited availability of enriched isotopic spikes. To circumvent these limitations, this study established and validated a universal “pseudo-isotope dilution mass spectrometry” (Pseudo-IDMS) strategy designed to achieve high precision quantification for mono-isotopic elements (e.g., 45Sc, 89Y, 169Tm, 197Au) and nuclides lacking suitable spike systems (e.g., 237Np). Unlike traditional IDMS, Pseudo-IDMS utilizes an element with similar chemical properties and mass-to-charge ratio as a “pseudo” spike, transforming quantification of target nuclide into a precise measurement of the isotope ratio between the target and the diluent element. By systematically characterizing cross-element mass fractionation behavior using inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS), this study established reliable correction models to evaluate mass fractionation across different element pairs. The method was rigorously tested across various scenarios using typical systems, including Sc-Ti/V, Y-Sr, Tm-Ho/Er/Yb, and Au-Pt for stable elements, and the 237Np-U/Pu system for actinides. The results demonstrated that for ICP-MS/MS analysis, measurement precisions (2σ) for Sc, Y, Tm and Au were better than 1.20%, 0.35%, 0.30% and 0.40%, respectively. These results represented a significant improvement over the 3%-7% precision typically associated with conventional external calibration standard methods. Furthermore, leveraging MC-ICP-MS allowed for more flexible cross-element fractionation correction using mass-adjacent isotopic reference materials. This configuration achieved a detection limit of 10−16 g/g for ultra-trace 237Np and a precision of 1.82% (2σ) for samples at the 10−13 g/g level. The practical utility of the method was successfully demonstrated through the accurate quantification of 237Np in soil samples from Xinjiang. This work overcomes the intrinsic dependency of IDMS on enriched isotopes by successfully resolving the challenge of cross-element mass fractionation correction. By eliminating the need for calibration curves, Pseudo-IDMS avoids uncertainties introduced by curve fitting and ensures direct traceability of results. This methodology is distinguished by three key advantages that underscore its value: first, it offers expanded applicability, breaking the IDMS barrier to enable high precision analysis of mono-isotopic elements; second, it realizes “zero-Standard” quantification via MC-ICP-MS, utilizing mass-adjacent isotopic reference materials to correct fractionation for radionuclides lacking concentration standards; third, it ensures process robustness, as the chemically similar pseudo spike undergoes synchronous transformation with the target analyte during pretreatment, making the final isotopic ratio reflective of initial content regardless of yield losses. While Pseudo-IDMS significantly enhances analytical accuracy and versatility, it introduces certain complexities. According to uncertainty propagation principles, the introduction of a cross-element proxy adds new sources of uncertainty and requires selection of the reference element, thereby increasing the complexity of experimental design. However, this sacrifice in theoretical simplicity is outweighed by the method’s substantial gain in universality and its effective suppression of major uncertainty sources. Ultimately, Pseudo-IDMS offers a high throughput (approx. 10 min/sample) and high precision technical foundation, presenting broad application prospects in nuclide monitoring, advanced materials development, and biological tracing.

     

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