Matilde Mataloni

@article{MATALONI2027130379,

title = {Determining Si/Al atomic ratios in particulate matter via quadrupole single-particle ICP-MS with combined unit-mass and bandpass resolution modes: a proof-of-concept study on Antarctic snow},

author = {Matilde Mataloni and Antonio Bazo and Eduardo Bolea-Fernandez and Ana Rua-Ibarz and Maite Aramendía and Lucas Güemes and Carlos Téllez and Joaquín Coronas and Marco Grotti and Martín Resano},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039914026010350},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2026.130379},

issn = {0039-9140},

year  = {2027},

date = {2027-01-01},

urldate = {2027-01-01},

journal = {Talanta},

volume = {312},

pages = {130379},

abstract = {Micrometer-scale mineral dust deposited in Antarctica represents a valuable archive for reconstructing atmospheric variability and for improving our understanding of dust-climate interactions. Among the various types of particle-specific information available, elemental ratios, such as the Si/Al atomic ratio, are especially useful as geochemical indicators of particle composition and provenance. However, the nature of these samples, characterized by coexisting particle populations and limited particle numbers, makes this determination particularly challenging. In this work, a novel quadrupole-based single-particle ICP-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-QMS) approach to determine population-specific Si/Al atomic ratios containing chemically heterogeneous particle populations is presented. To overcome the sequential acquisition inherent to ICP-QMS instrumentation, Al and Si measurements at unit-mass resolution (m/z 27 and 28, respectively) were combined with bandpass acquisition centered at m/z 27 (2.47 ± 0.06 amu resolution at 10% peak height), enabling simultaneous collection of 27Al+ and 28Si + signals. This strategy was first used to identify the Al and Si distributions belonging to the same particle population and, consequently, to determine the corresponding atomic ratios in a suspension containing SiO2 microparticles (MPs) and two different types of synthesized zeolite MPs with different Si/Al atomic ratios. The reliability and accuracy of the method were confirmed by comparing the results with those obtained from individual Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and SP-ICP-MS characterization of the zeolite samples. As a proof-of-concept, the analysis of an Antarctic snow sample demonstrated the potential of the developed method to provide population-specific information – Si/Al atomic ratios – essential for environmental assessments based on high-resolution short-term records.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{BAZO2025344694,

title = {Improving detection and figures of merit in single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry via transient event heights},

author = {Antonio Bazo and Lorién López-Villellas and Matilde Mataloni and Eduardo Bolea-Fernandez and Ana Rua-Ibarz and Marco Grotti and Maite Aramendía and Martín Resano},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003267025010888},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2025.344694},

issn = {0003-2670},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

urldate = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Analytica Chimica Acta},

volume = {1378},

pages = {344694},

abstract = {Background 

Single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is a powerful method for characterizing micro- and nanoparticulate materials. The technique primarily relies on the linear relationship between the integrated intensities of individual events (peak areas) and the analyte mass, though transit times (peak widths) have also been used for quantitative purposes. This work (1) evaluates the potential of using peak heights as analytical signals in SP-ICP-MS, (2) introduces a new method for determining peak heights, and (3) explores scenarios in which peak height offers added value over the commonly used SP-ICP-MS signals. 

Results 

A new method was proposed to estimate peak height values in SP-ICP-MS accurately. The cumulative intensity across consecutive dwell times was modeled using a third-degree polynomial, from which the adjusted peak height was derived. This approach reduces the uncertainty associated with using raw maximum intensity values, yielding NP distributions comparable to those obtained via integrated intensities. The effect of dwell time on peak height was also evaluated. An optimal range (50 μs–200 μs) was identified, where a linear relationship was observed between the peak height and the square of the NP diameter. Within this range, peak height showed the lowest bias when characterizing smaller NPs, indicating the potential to improve the limit of quantification (LoQ). Additionally, peak heights proved helpful in determining the limit of detection (LoD) and setting appropriate threshold values for data processing, thereby helping to flag incorrect resultsand addressing a challenge in SP-ICP-MS analysis. 

Significance 

This is the first study to evaluate peak height as an analytical signal in SP-ICP-MS. The results highlight its advantages in specific applications, such as sizing NPs near the LoD, and in supporting the more reliable use of other signals, such as peak areas, by helping to identify incorrect threshold selection that could lead to biased distributions. Finally, monitoring peak heights allows for a more realistic and assumption-free determination of the LoD.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}