Quantification method for elemental bio-imaging by LA-ICP-MS using metal spiked PMMA films

Abstract

A method for quantitative analysis of biological soft tissues by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry has been developed. Polymer film standards were produced by spin coating spiked solutions of polymethylmethacrylate onto quartz substrates. Calibration curves throughout the range of 0-400 μg g-1 yielded correlation coefficients better than 0.999 for 66Zn and 63Cu. Spiked, homogenised soft tissue standards were quantified by LA-ICP-MS against the thin film standards. The results agreed with values calculated from solution nebulisation ICP-MS. A procedure for internal standardisation by employing ruthenium or yttrium in the underlying thin film was also assessed. © The ..