ICP / ICPMS

It is an analytical system that ionizes a sample in an argon plasma and measures the resulting ions, either by optical emission (ICP-OES) or by mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), to quantify trace elements and isotopes. ICP-MS reaches detection limits in the parts-per-trillion range.

ICP-MS stands for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. ICP refers to the argon plasma that ionizes the sample, and MS refers to the mass spectrometer that separates and counts those ions by mass-to-charge ratio.

A liquid sample is nebulised into an aerosol and carried into an argon plasma that strips electrons and forms ions. Those ions pass through sampling and skimmer cones into the vacuum region, where a mass analyser separates them by mass-to-charge ratio and a detector counts them.

The catalogue leans toward parts rather than whole instruments: ICP-MS accessories and mass spectrometry accessories such as torches, nebulizers, spray chambers and interface cones, then broader ICP-MS components and mass spectrometry components like RF coils, ion lenses and collision-cell assemblies, plus analytical instrument components and detector boards.

It is used for trace-element analysis in environmental monitoring, geochemistry, food safety and clinical molecular diagnostics, where parts-per-trillion detection of metals underpins work from drinking-water compliance to biomonitoring. In metallomics it also quantifies metal-tagged labels and element-containing cofactors.

A quadrupole instrument with a collision or reaction cell suppresses polyatomic interferences that affect elements like arsenic, selenium and chromium. A high-resolution sector-field system physically separates masses instead, resolving interferences directly but at higher cost and larger footprint. Decide which the work needs first, because sample introduction, detector and price follow from it.

Accessories are routine, model-specific consumables replaced on a schedule, such as torches, cones, nebulizers and autosampler tubing. Components are repair parts like detector boards, RF coils or collision-cell assemblies, worth sourcing only when a known unit needs one.

A used unit is sold in its existing state, while a refurbished unit has been checked and brought back to working condition before listing. For both, condition carries more weight than the listed configuration, so ask for a recent performance report either way.

Prices in the catalogue range from EUR 65 to EUR 43.044, with the average near EUR 1.492. The low end is single detector boards and accessories; complete, serviceable instruments sit at the top. The average reflects how many listings are parts rather than whole systems.

The listings are concentrated in Thermo, Thermo Fisher, Thermo Scientific, PerkinElmer and Thermo Fisher Scientific. A catalogue concentrated in a few makers means cones, torches and skimmer assemblies are easier to match to the instrument you have, and two used units of the same platform can be compared on their tune reports.

A warranty is often possible and is arranged in consultation for the specific listing. Terms are not set centrally, so check the individual listing and ask before purchase.

Parts can be sourced via Questpair when a specific board, cone or torch is needed. A catalogue concentrated in a small number of platforms also makes consumables easier to match to the instrument in hand.

Lifespan depends on how the plasma and vacuum system have been used rather than on age alone. Consumables such as torches, cones and nebulizers are replaced routinely, while the detector, RF generator and turbomolecular pumps carry the instrument's real history and determine how much service life remains.

Used and refurbished units are listed at lower prices than new. The trade is an older platform that still meets your detection limits against a current-generation instrument at several times the cost, so judge it against the specific method and the tune report of the unit on offer.

The Questpair catalogue lists new, used and refurbished units and parts across 198 listings from 6 verified suppliers and distributors in 4 countries. Listings include single detector boards through to complete instruments.

Lead time and shipping depend on the individual listing and the supplier's location, which spans 4 countries. Check the specific listing for availability, and Questpair specialists respond within one hour to questions about a particular unit.

Routine maintenance covers the consumable layer: torches, cones, nebulizers and spray chambers that wear with use. Performance is verified through a tune that reports sensitivity, oxide and doubly-charged ratios, and low-mass background. Questpair does not perform servicing, but a recent tune report from the seller shows the instrument was running.

Ask for the last performance report covering sensitivity in counts per second per concentration unit, oxide and doubly-charged ratios, and background at low masses. Verify that the interface cones and the detector are physically present and not merely listed, since those are the parts most often pulled before a resale.

The low end is single detector boards, mass spectrometry components and individual accessories. The top end is complete, recently serviced spectrometers with the interface hardware, detector and pumps intact. Condition and whether a listing is a part or a whole system, not configuration alone, drive the spread from EUR 65 to EUR 43.044.