Application of 3D printed scavengers for improving the accuracy of single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses of silver nanoparticles by dissolved silver removal

The determination of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry can be severely interfered coexisting dissolved causing high background signals, which lead to inaccurate quantification NP size and particle concentration. In this paper, chemically active reusable 3D printed scavengers are applied for highly efficient removal in Ag dispersions, allowing more accurate concentration size. Selective laser sintering was used constructing the porous constituting polystyrene as a supporting material ion-exchange SiliaBond Tosic acid (TA), were chosen based on their extraction efficiency ability maintain original properties. macroporous structure final TA allowed NPs pass freely through object without affecting contact between sample solution functional resulted rapid (ca. <1 min/sample), (≥98%). showed potential preconcentration silver, retained eluted 0.5 mM sodium thiosulphate excellent recoveries (≥99%). Competitive adsorption elements commonly found natural waters (Ca, K, Mg, Na, S, Si, Sr) not affect efficiency. developed pre-treatment method 30 nm ultrapure clear environmental (0.2 μg kg−1). Whereas measurement samples such led significant bias sizing (up +12% increase) counting −51% decrease), eliminated interfering effect silver. This improvement detection determination. Highly similar values obtained both mean (30 ± 1 nm, <4% different) (<13% all matrices studied compared absence