High-precision measurement of 36 SF 5 + signal using the MAT 253 Ultra
isotope-ratio mass spectrometer
Abstract
Rationale: The Δ 36S standard deviation (SD)
measured in a conventional isotope-ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) such
as MAT 253 is at c.a. 0.1‰ to 0.3‰. At this precision, it is
difficult to resolve the origin of non-mass-dependent sulfur (NMD-S)
isotope fractionation in the tropospheric sulfate aerosol and in Martian
meteorites or small deviations from the canonical mass-dependent
fractionation laws. Interfering ions (originated from fluorination
and/or mass spectrometer ion source itself) with m/z at 131 of
36SF 5 + by the
community as the cause of the poor precision, but the exact ion species
has not been identified or confirmed. Methods: Here we examined
the potential interfering ions by using the Thermo Scientific MAT 253
Ultra, a high-resolution (mass resolving powers up to 40,000) stable
isotope-ratio mass spectrometer, to measure the SF 6
working gas and SF 6 gases converted from IAEA-S1 Ag
2S reference materials via a fluorination system.
Results: We found that there is a resolvable peak to the right
of the 36SF 5 + peak
for both the SF 6 working gas and SF 6
generated by the fluorination system. The peak is identified as the
12C 3F 5
+ ion, generated inside the instrument during the
ionization process. By minimizing the presence of carbon-bearing
compounds (e.g., organic matter in sample or helium gas, glue or o-ring
in sample tubes, or carbon-bearing gases inside the mass spectrometer),
we were able to achieve a Δ 36S SD of 0.046‰ (n=8) for
SF 6 zero-enrichment and 0.069‰ (n=8) for overall
measurement start from sliver sulfide IAEA-S1. Conclusions:
Minimizing the presence of carbon-bearing compounds and avoiding the
interfering signals from 36SF 5
+ via MAT 253 Ultra high‐resolution isotope-ratio mass
spectrometer, we can improve Δ 36S measurement
precision by 2 to 5 folds, which helps to open new territories for
research using quadruple sulfur isotope composition.