Nu Instruments | Precise and Accurate Chromium Isotope Ratio Measurements
This application note demonstrates high-precision chromium isotope analysis using the Nu Plasma MC-ICP-MS. The study combines pseudo-high-resolution measurements, interference correction and excellent instrument stability to achieve accurate results that agree with certified reference values.
Chromium isotope measurements present significant analytical challenges due to multiple spectral interferences and the need for accurate mass fractionation correction. This study evaluates a 500 ppb NIST SRM 979 chromium standard using the enhanced sensitivity interface and pseudo-high-resolution capability.
Measurements were collected over four hours using a static analytical method. Partial separation of polyatomic interferences, combined with simultaneous monitoring of titanium, vanadium and iron isotopes, enabled accurate correction of residual isobaric effects.
Two correction approaches were evaluated: internal normalisation and sample-standard bracketing. Both methods produced highly accurate isotope ratios and excellent precision, demonstrating the suitability of the Nu Plasma platform for advanced chromium isotope research.
Key Takeaways:
- Accurate chromium isotope ratios matched certified reference values.
- Pseudo-high-resolution mode effectively reduced interference effects.
- Internal normalisation and bracketing approaches achieved comparable precision.
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