Single Particle (SP) ICP-MS is an analytical technique that has demonstrated tremendous potential for the measurement and characterization of metal-containing nanoparticles (NPs) in a wide range of sample types, including environmental. One of the most challenging matrices is seawater due to its high salt content, which causes severe difficulties when analyzed for NPs due to matrix suppression and cone clogging.

This work demonstrates the ability of the NexION^® ICP-MS, coupled to the dedicated Syngistix^™ Nano Application software module, to measure silver (Ag) nanoparticles in seawater and track their transformations over time.