The CETAC DS-5 Microflow Nebulizer is a specialized device for very low-flow applications (3 to 10 µL/min),
including micro-HPLC coupled with ICP-MS. The DS-5 nebulizer kit includes a dedicated low-volume spray chamber which can connect directly via a glass socket to the base of the ICP-MS torch.

Very limited volume samples and/or the need to introduce neat organic solvents to the ICP-MS may require the use of a very low flow rate nebulizer. The CETAC DS-5 Nebulizer is a concentric type that couples a proprietary capillary and gas orifice design for stable liquid flow.

Samples may be self-aspirated to the DS-5 or pumped via a micro-HPLC pump; nebulizer gas is supplied to the DS-5 from the host ICP-MS instrument. The DS-5 can be inserted directly into the included low-volume
(8 mL) spray chamber which can attach directly via a 12/5 glass socket to the base of the ICP-MS torch. This arrangement enables rapid sample stabilization and washout times and maintains chromatographic peak resolution. Note that the DS-5 is a total consumption nebulizer system, as no liquid waste accumulates in the spray chamber at such low flows.

The linked figure shows the typical setup arrangement of the DS-5 for online chromatography with ICP-MS.

Application areas for the DS-5 include nano-volume flow injection analysis of very toxic or radioactive samples and metallomic studies.

References
D. Schaumlöffel, J. Ruiz, R. Lobinski. “Development of a Sheathless Interface between Reverse-Phase Capillary HPLC and ICPMS via a Total Consumption Nebulizer for Selenopeptide Mapping”, Anal. Chem. 2003, 75, 6837.

D. Schaumlöffel, P. Giusti, M.V. Zoriy, C. Pickhardt, J. Szpunar, R. Lobinski, J.S. Becker. "Ultratrace Determination of Uranium and Plutonium by Nano-Volume Flow Injection Double Focusing Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry,” J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2005, 20, 17.

Technical Specifications
Nebulizer Materials: PVDF body, fused silica capillary
Uptake Rate: 3 to 10 µL/min, pumped/self-aspirated
Nebulizer Gas Flow: 0.8 to 1.2 L/min
Spray Chamber: Quartz, 8 mL volume, 12/5 glass socket adapter