MassHunter Workstation Overview
The Agilent ICP-MS MassHunter Workstation is the integrated software platform for controlling the Agilent 8900 ICP-QQQ. It provides a unified environment for instrument setup, data acquisition, and results analysis.
Main Interface Areas
The MassHunter interface is organised with a ribbon toolbar at the top and a task navigator on the left. The key tabs and functional areas are:
| Tab / Area | Function |
|---|---|
| Home → Startup | Instrument status, plasma control, warm-up checks, performance reports |
| Home → Tune | Autotune, manual tune, tune parameters, torch optimization |
| Acquisition | Method setup, element selection, cell gas modes, acquisition parameters |
| Sequence | Sample list / batch table, sample types, file naming, autosampler positions |
| Queue | Current acquisition queue, pending and completed runs |
| Data Analysis | FullQuant, SemiQuant, calibration curves, Batch-at-a-Glance, reports |
| Maintenance | Early Maintenance Feedback (EMF), maintenance logs, component status |
Autotune Procedure
The Autotune optimises critical instrument parameters to achieve maximum sensitivity and stability. It should be run after plasma warm-up (at least 15–30 minutes) and whenever the instrument has been serviced, cones cleaned, or tubing changed.
What Autotune Optimises
- Plasma Sampling Depth (Torch Z-axis): Adjusts the position of the torch relative to the sampling cone to optimise ion extraction efficiency.
- Nebulizer Gas Flow: Fine-tunes the carrier gas flow rate to optimise aerosol generation and transport.
- Ion Lens Voltages: Optimises extraction lens, omega lens, and deflection lens voltages for maximum ion transmission.
- Cell Parameters: Sets collision/reaction cell gas flows and bias voltages for each tune mode (No Gas, He, O₂, NH₃).
Running Autotune — Step by Step
- Prepare the tuning solution: Place the sample uptake line into the Agilent ICP-MS Tuning Solution (typically 1 ppb each of Li, Y, Ce, Tl, Co in 2% HNO₃). Use the Agilent-recommended tuning standard.
- Navigate to the Tune tab: In MassHunter, go to Home → Tune.
- Select Autotune: Click "Autotune" to begin the automated optimization. The software will sequentially optimise plasma position, nebulizer gas, lenses, and cell parameters.
- Wait for completion: The autotune typically takes 5–15 minutes depending on the number of modes being optimised.
- Review results: After autotune completes, review the optimised parameters. Confirm the tune values are reasonable and within expected ranges.
- Run Performance Report: Execute the Performance Report to verify the instrument meets acceptance criteria.
- Always use fresh tuning solution — standards degrade over time, especially at 1 ppb level.
- Allow the tuning solution to aspirate for at least 1 minute before starting autotune to ensure a stable signal.
- Save successful tune files with the date for historical tracking.
- If autotune results are unusually different from previous tunes, investigate hardware (cones, tubing, torch) before accepting.
Cell Gas Modes
The Agilent 8900 can operate in multiple cell gas modes. Each mode is optimised for removing specific types of interferences. The correct mode is selected based on the analyte and the sample matrix.
| Mode | Gas | Mechanism | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Gas | — | No interference removal | Interference-free masses (e.g., ²⁰⁸Pb, ²⁰⁹Bi) |
| He Mode | Helium | Kinetic Energy Discrimination (KED) | General polyatomic removal (routine use) |
| O₂ MS/MS | Oxygen | Mass-shift reaction (M → MO⁺) | As, Se, P, S, Si (shift to oxide mass) |
| NH₃ MS/MS | Ammonia | Charge transfer / clustering | Transition metals, Ti, V, Cr, Fe in complex matrices |
| H₂ MS/MS | Hydrogen | Selective reaction | ⁴⁰Ca (from ⁴⁰Ar), ⁸⁰Se (from ⁴⁰Ar₂) |
- ⁷⁵As → O₂ MS/MS mode (measured as ⁷⁵As¹⁶O⁺ at m/z 91)
- ²⁰²Hg → No Gas mode or He mode
- ²⁰⁸Pb → No Gas mode
- ¹¹¹Cd, ¹¹⁴Cd → He mode or No Gas mode
Performance Report
The Performance Report is an automated diagnostic that evaluates key instrument parameters against predefined acceptance criteria. It should be run:
- Daily — at the start of each analysis session, after autotune
- After any maintenance (cone cleaning, torch replacement, tubing change)
- When results appear anomalous
Key Performance Metrics
| Parameter | Typical Specification | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity (cps/ppb) | > 500M (⁷Li), > 1000M (⁸⁹Y) | Ion count per ppb — instrument sensitivity |
| Background (m/z 220) | < 1 cps | Detector noise in a mass-free region |
| Oxide Ratio (CeO/Ce) | < 1.5% | Degree of oxide formation in the plasma |
| Doubly Charged (Ce²⁺/Ce⁺) | < 2% | Degree of double ionisation |
| Short-term RSD | < 3% (10 replicates) | Signal stability over short time |
| Mass Resolution | ~0.7 amu (10% peak height) | Ability to separate adjacent masses |
IntelliQuant Assistant
IntelliQuant is a semi-quantitative analysis tool built into MassHunter. It performs a rapid, full-mass-range scan of the sample and estimates concentrations for all detectable elements — without requiring element-specific calibration standards.
IntelliQuant is useful for:
- Unknown sample screening: Quickly identify which elements are present and at what approximate concentration.
- Method development assistance: The IntelliQuant Assistant can pre-select the preferred cell mode for each analyte based on the scan results, simplifying method setup.
- Matrix characterisation: Understand the composition of your sample matrix before running quantitative analysis.
Early Maintenance Feedback (EMF)
The EMF feature in MassHunter tracks the usage of consumable components (cones, tubing, torch) and alerts you when maintenance is due. It helps prevent unexpected failures by scheduling preventive maintenance.
EMF tracks parameters such as:
- Total plasma-on time
- Number of acquisition sequences completed
- Interface cone usage hours
- Peristaltic pump tubing usage