Determination of traces of rare earth elements in high-purity uranium by ion-exchange separation and neutron activation γ-spectrometry

Neutron activation γ-spectrometry is sufficiently sensitive for the determination of traces of rare earth elements but quantitative separation from uranium is essential. The rare earth elements in 0.2 M ammonium carbonate medium are quantitatively retained on Chelex-100, and are quantitatively separated from uranium by recycling the eluate. When 10-g samples are used, neutron activation provides detection limits of 1–20 μg kg^?1. Recoveries of rare earths, checked by spiking with radiotracers, are essentially complete.     

Determination of total rare earth elements,thorium and chromium with 2-(2-arsenophenylazo)-1,8-dihydroxy-7-(2,6-dibromo-4-fluorophenylazo) naphthalene-3,6-disulphonic acid by reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography

The retention behaviour of the complexes of rare earth elements, thorium and chromium with 2-(2- arsenophenylazo)-1,8-dihydroxy-7-(2,6-dibromo-4-fluorophenylazo)naphthalene-3,6-disulphonic acid was studied. Precolumn derivatization was used. The stationary phase was ODS-bonded silica and the mobile phase was methanol-water-tetrabutylammonium bromide. The detection limits are 2 ng ml^?1 for total rare earths, 2.5 ng ml^?1 for thorium and 10 ng ml^?1 for chromium. The tolerance of foreign ions is very high. The method can be applied satisfactorily to ore samples and rocks.     

Spectrophotometric determination of rare earth elements and thorium with arsenazo

The simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of rare earth elements (lanthanum and gadolinium) and thorium with arsenuzo is described. In 0.05 N nitric acid, thorium alone forms a colored complex with the reagent; at PH 7.2 both thorium and the rare carths form colored complexes. Satisfactory results were obtained with weight ratios of Th/rare earths ranging from 0.2 to 10.     

Separation and continuous determination of the light rare earth elements and thorium in Baotou Iron Ore by a micro-column

A method for continuous determination of the light rare earth elements (LREEs) and thorium in Baotou Iron Ore was established. The light rare earths and thorium were adsorbed on a micro-column packed with HD-8 cation exchange resins. The light rare earth elements were eluted with 4 mol L⁻¹ HCl–2 mol L⁻¹ NH₄Cl solution and determined with tribromo-arsenzao by a 721-E spectrophotometry at 630 nm; thorium was eluted with 5% potassium oxalate solution and determined with Arsenazo III by a 721-E spectrophotometry at 660 nm. The measured values by the proposed method were in close agreement with the certified values (Baotou main ore standard sample, Baotou ore R-715 standard sample and GSD-2 standard sample). The RSD of the light rare earths and thorium in Baotou Iron Ore were of <1.70% and <1.99%, respectively.     

Selective determination of yttrium in geological materials by ion-interaction chromatography

Selective separation and determination of yttrium in rare earth ores have been achieved by high performance ion-interaction chromatography. Ores are decomposed by sulfuric acid and the rare earths are precipitated in a group as oxalates. Yttrium is then separated from the other rare earths on a C-18 bonded phase silica column modified with 1-octanesulfonate by linear concentration gradient elution for 20 min with 0.15 to 0.40M glycolic acid(pH 3.5). Yttrium elutes at about 10 min between samarium and neodymium, being separated selectively from all the rare earths as well as scandium, thorium and uranium. Post-column reaction detection and quantitation with Arsenazo III [2,7-bis(2-arsonophenylazo)-1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid] are carried out at 650 nm. Quantitative results are quoted for yttrium in sophisticated, synthetic rare earth mixtures, monazite and xenotime.     

Successive determination of thorium and the rare earths with triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid

Triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid (TTHA) is proposed for the successive determination of thorium and rare earths in mixtures by titrating first for thorium at pH 2, then adding an excess of TTHA to complex the rare earth ions completely, and titrating the excess of TTHA with standard zinc solution. Xylenol Orange and 3',3'-bis {[N,N-bis (carboxymethy 1)amino]methyl} thymolsulphonephthalein (TMS) have been tested as indicators for the titration.     

Investigation and Analytical Application of the β-Type Chelate of Lanthanoids With Chlorophosphonazo III

Abstract

The color-reaction of chlorophosphonazo III (CPA III) with lanthanide ions has been studied. It is found that under optimum conditions a light and heavy rare earth binuclear chelate with CPA III, of which the ratio of the metals to CPA III is 1:1:3, can be formed and used for determination of trace amounts of light rare earths in the presence of heavy rare earths. The molar absorptivity maximum of the chelate is 5x10⁵ 1 mol^?1 cm^?1.     

Study on the cocolouration effect in the β-complex formation reactions of rare earths with p-chloro-chlorophosphonazo (CPApC)

Terbium- and yttrium-group rare earths form β-complexes with CPApC in acidic medium.The sensitivities for determination of these rare earths by this reaction depend on their ionic radii.Cerium- or terbium-group rare earth in the presence of yttrium-group element produces the cocolourationeffect which remarkably sensitizes the reaction. Yb-CPApC-Eu complex has a molar composition of1:4:2 and gives a molar absorptivity of 2. 02 ×10~5 L·mol~(-1)·cm~(-1) at 746 nm for Eu. It is found thatthe closer the lengths of ionic radii of the rare earths are, the greater will be the cocolouration effect.     

Spectrophotometric determination of trace uranium in geological samples by flow injection analysis with on-line levextrel resin separation and preconcentration

A flow-injection system with on-line separation and preconcentration is described for the spectrophotometric determination of trace uranium in geological samples. Uranium is selctively adsorbed from 0.7 mol l^?1 nitric acid on a microcolumn (40 mm long, 4.4 mm i.d.) containing levextrel CL-5209 resin (120–200 mesh) and separated from the sample matrix and most of the co-existing ions; 10-fold concentration is obtained. Eluted uranium is determined spectrophotometrically with arsenazo-III. The detection limit is μg l^?1 uranium and calibration is linear up to 0.3 mg l^?1 uranium With dual columns operated alternately for adsorption and elution, 30 samples can be analyzed per hour. Masking agents are added to eliminate interferences from thorium and iron. The method is sensitive and highly selective, easy to operate and suitable for routine analysis of geological samples for uranium.     

Novel Thorium Membrane Sensors with Anionic Response Based on Trioctylphosphine Oxide and Toluate Ionophores

Two novel potentiometric polymeric membrane sensors for rapid and accurate determination of thorium are described. These are based on the use of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and thorium toluate (Th‐TA) as ionophores dispersed in poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membranes plasticized with nitrophenyloctyl ether. In strong nitric acid medium, Th(IV) nitrate is converted into [Th(NO₃)₆]^2? complex and sensed as anionic divalent ion which exclude most cationic effect. Validation of the assay methods using the quality assurance standards (linearity range, accuracy, precision, within‐day variability, between‐day‐repeatability, lower detection limit and sensitivity) reveals excellent performance characteristics of both sensors. The sensors exhibit near‐Nernstian response for 1.0×10^?6–1.0×10^?1 M Th over the pH range 2.5–4.5. Calibration slopes of ?32.3±0.3 and ?27.2±0.2 mV/decade, precision of ±0.5 and ±0.8% and accuracy of 98.8±0.9 and 97.9±0.7% are obtained with TOPO and Th‐TA based sensors, respectively. Negligible interferences are caused by most interfering mono‐, di‐, tri‐, tetra‐, penta‐, and hexa‐valent elements commonly associated with thorium in naturally occurring minerals and ores. High concentrations of Cl^?, F^?, SO₄^2?, and NO₃^? ions have no diverse effect. Complete removal of the effect of the interferents in complex matrices is achieved by retention of [Th(NO₃)₆]^2? complex from 5 M nitric acid/methanol mixture (1 : 9 v/v) on a strong anion exchanger, washing out the cationic interferents followed by stripping off thorium anion complex and measurements. Both sensors are used for determining thorium in certified thorium ore samples (20–120 mg Th/kg) and some naturally occurring ores (200–600 mg Th/kg). The results obtained agree fairly well with the certified labeled values or the data obtained using X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry     

Photochemical precipitation of thorium and cerium and their separation from other ions in aqueous solution

Thorium was precipitated from homogeneous solution by exposing solutions of thorium and periodate in dilute perchloric acid to 253.7 nm radiation from a low-pressure mercury lamp. Periodate is reduced photochemically to iodate which causes the formation of a dense precipitate of the basic iodate of thorium(IV). The precipitate was redissolved, the iodate reduced, the thorium precipitated first as the hydroxide, then as the oxalate and ignited to the dioxide for weighing. Thorium(IV) solutions containing 8-200 mg of ThO(2) gave quantitative results with a standard deviation (s) of 0.2 mg. Separations from 25 mg each of iron, calcium, magnesium, 50 mg of yttrium and up to 500 mg of uranium(VI) were quantitative (s = 0.25 mg). Separations from rare earths, except cerium, were accomplished by using hexamethylenetetramine rather than ammonia for the precipitation of the hydroxide. Cerium(III) was similarly precipitated and converted into CeO(2) for weighing. Quantitative results were obtained for 13-150 mg of CeO(2) with a standard deviation of 0.2 mg. Separations from 200 mg of uranium were quantitative. Other rare earths and yttrium interfered seriously. The precipitates of the basic cerium(IV) and thorium iodates obtained are more compact than those obtained by direct precipitation and can be handled easily. Attempts to duplicate Suzuki's method for separating cerium from neodymium and yttrium were not successful.     

Determination of calcium and barium in steel by electrothermal atomic emission spectrometry

A simple and rapid method is described for the determination of 1–40 μg g^?1 calcium in steels by electrothermal atomic emission spectrometry. The sample is dissolved in nitric acid and does not need preconcentration. The use of a recessed platform is shown to improve reproducibility and sensitivity in the determination of calcium. A similar procedure for the determination of barium (< 1 μg g^?1 in steel is described.     

Extraction chromatographic separation of thorium (IV) with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO)

Thorium was extracted from a mixture of nitric acid and NaNO₃ of 0.01M each at pH 2.2 on a column of silica gel coated with TOPO. Thorium was separated from alkalis, alkaline earths, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, cadmium, mercury, lead, trivalent rare earths, platinum group metals, chloride, phosphate and acetate in binary mixtures by selective extraction of thorium. Thorium was separated from cerium (IV), zirconium, uranium and molybdenum by selective elution of thorium with 0.01M H₂SO₄. The method was extended for the analysis of thorium in monozite ore.     

The determination of low lead levels in the bone of lead-depleted mice by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Low lead levels in the femurs of mice fed with a lead-depleted diet have been determined by use of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman-effect background correction. The method is based on the use of Mg(NO₃)₂/Pd as matrix modifier which enables significant reduction of the spectral interferences prevalent if chemical modifiers based on NH₄H₂PO₄ with either Ca or Mg are used for samples rich in Ca₃(PO₄)₂ matrix. The method was developed and validated by use of the NIST standard reference material 1486 bone. Bones were decomposed in a pressurized microwave-heated system using 70% nitric acid. Forty-three mice femurs, with a mass of 74.62 ± 12.54 mg, were dissolved in concentrated nitric acid. The lead results found in SRM 1486 (1.25 ± 0.15 μg g^–1, n = 9) were in good agreement with the certificate (1.335 ± 0.014 μg g^–1). Recoveries of 200 ng lead added to the SRM before or after digestion were 99.0 ± 1.4% and 98.5 ± 1.6%, respectively. The lead detection limit in bone samples is 0.06 μg g^–1 dry mass. This method is, therefore, suitable for the determination of very low lead levels (0.06–0.20 μg Pb kg^–1 bone) in the femurs of mice fed a diet with lead level of < 20μg kg^–1.     

Alizarin-s,a reagent for thorium. a gravimetric,colorimetric, and spectrophotometric study

The claim of Beck in the use of alizarin-S for separating cerite earths from thorium could not be substantiated. Detailed conditions for estimating from 0.0095 to 6.3 mg of thorium dioxide in 50 ml of solution by the method of Rao and Murthy are described. The absorption characteristics of alizarin-S and its-thorium complex have been studied in their dependance on pH. The thorium complex has been shown by adopting different optical methods to correspond to Th-Al-S (a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1) which is also confirmed from gravimetric analyses. The dissociation coefficient of the complex at pH 2.7 has been computed to be less than 1.10^-8.     

Gravimetric determination of thorium and zirconium

Summary Thorium and zirconium can be quantitatively precipitated by quinaldinic acid atph 2.7 and 3, respectively. As the precipitates are of nonstoichiometric composition they are to be ignited to oxides. By this reagent thorium can be quantitatively separated from arsenic (As³⁺), mercury (Hg²⁺), rare earths, manganese, magnesium and alkaline earths and zirconium from all the aforesaid ions excepting rare earths which contaminate to a slight extent.     

Anion Exchange Separation of Rare Earths in Methanol-Nitric Acid Mixed Solutions I. Study on the Distribution Coefficients and Column Elution Method

Anion exchange method for the mutual separation of rare earth was studied in methanol-nitric acid mixed solutions. For each of rare earth element, the distribution coefficients in different concentrations of nitric acid and also in various compositions of methanol solution were studied with the batch equilibrium method. From these distribution coefficients, elution of rare earth by gradient variation in the compositions of methonal was devised. That is, by keeping constant nitric acid at 2 N acidity and gradiently diluting methanol from its original 80% by volume. Results were satisfactory for the mutual separation of the lighter rare earths, but only fairly for the heavier earths. The secondary metal effect for this anion exchange was also studied in 80% by volume of methanol solution by keeping total concentration of nitrate at 0.8 N. Distribution coefficients were larger than nitric acid with LiNO₃ but smaller in the case of NH₄NO₃ and NaNO₃. Despite of these difference in distribution coefficients, no remarkable differences were observed for the separation factors of adjacent pairs.     

Rapid determination of trace methylmercury in natural crude medicine of animal origin

A rapid and simple method to determine methylmercury in natural crude medicine of animal origin was developed using gas chromatography electron capture detection (GC-ECD). Methylmercury, one of the forms of organomercury in nature, is much more toxic than inorganic and elemental mercury due to its lipid soluble property. The method is based on acidic digestion in hydrochloric acid solution following the extraction with toluene. The following parameters for the determination of methylmercury with GC-ECD were established: limit of detection 2 μg kg^?1, limit of quantification 8 μg kg^?1, linearity 10–300 ng mL^?1, reproducibility as relative standard deviations 11.8%, 10.7% and 1.7% for 300, 150, and 20 ppb solutions, respectively, and recovery 87.1–112.4%. The results on animal-origin natural medicines using the method developed in this study were assured by comparison with those obtained by the method derived for measuring methylmercury in fish.     

The Determination Of Thallium In Human Hair By Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Abstract

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric procedure is des-scribed for the rapid determination of thallium in human hair. Samples of 500 μg are dissolved in nitric acid and treated with hydrogen peroxide. Aliquots of 10 μL are then analyzed using electrothermal atomization in a graphite tube furnace. The characteristic concentration for the method is 1 mg Tl kg^?1 which is adequate for forensic investigation. The relative standard deviation for a series of signals from a hair sample spiked to contain 32 mg Tl^?1 kg was 3 per cent.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of trace amounts of thorium

A spectrofluorimetric method, based on the formation of a fluorescent complex with salicyladehyde carbohydrazone, is optimized for the determination of thorium (20–800 μg l^?1) at “pH” 1.3–1.7. The relative standard deviation is 2.7% for 100 μg Th l^?1. The method is applied to synthetic mixtures containing various amounts of thorium and to the determination of thorium in monazite samples.