Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Serving Electrochemistry

International audience ; Since their commercialization in the 1980s, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICP-MS) have attained remarkable performance. They enable the elemental analysis of a compound within a fraction of a second, mostly in liquid media, with detection limits typically in the range of ng/L. Challenges related to both isobaric and polyatomic spectral interferences have largely been overcome through the use of collision/reaction cells (KED/CRC) or multi-pole instruments. ICP-MS has become commonplace in laboratories and research and development centers to meet the demands for elemental analysis. Moreover, in recent years, this instrument has been coupled with others, particularly in the field of electrochemistry (EC). As of 2024, nearly a dozen laboratories have developed a coupling solution between an electrochemical cell and ICP-MS analysis, offering numerous advantages [1]. While the apparatus allows for the characterization of catalysts or the determination of dissolved quantities and elements in an electrolyte following electrochemical cycling, the EC/ICP-MS coupling is a powerful tool that enables direct and real-time correlation of catalyst dissolution with applied potential, providing a better understanding of degradation phenomena and reaction processes.The effective coupling implemented within LEPMI demonstrates the inherent correlation between dissolution and potential. This coupling has shed light on various phenomena, including surface reactions compared to those occurring within the material, such as the place-exchange reaction of platinum catalysts, the influence of catalyst thicknesses and the redeposition of elements, the impact of counter-electrodes, and the stability of catalysts based on their formulation and the oxidation state of their metallic elements. To delve further into detail, here are a few studies that have resulted in peer-reviewed publications:•Our investigation into hydrogen trapping in Pd/C nanoparticles utilized EC/ICP-MS coupling to highlight the ...