Determination of cobalt, copper, iron, nickel and zinc in cemented tungsten carbides with cobalt as a binder by FAAS: Matrix effect control by multivariate technique

A new approach for the determination of cobalt, copper, iron, nickel and zinc in cemented tungsten carbides with cobalt as a binder by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) is reported. Real samples were dissolved in phosphoric, hydrochloric and nitric acid. PTFE bomb or alternatively small amounts of HF were used for the enhancement of the recovery of the elements investigated. Synthetic samples were used for interference studies. Multiple linear regression was applied for the control of matrix effects and it proved to be very effective in the search for interfering elements. Using simple acid based standards, all investigated elements could be determined sequentially in a complex matrix by using an appropriate method of calculation. The method described has been succesfully applied to real type commercial samples. Results were compared with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), being in good agreement with each other and having relative standard deviations better than 5%.     

Determination of Hf, Sc and Y in geological samples together with the rare-earth elements

 A method is described for the determination of Hf, Sc and Y simultaneously with the REE in geological materials. An earlier method for REE separation from major elements was studied with the aim to apply it also to the determination of Hf, Sc and Y. Sample decomposition was carried out by melting with LiBO₂. The method involves separation and concentration stages, using the cation-exchange resin DOWEX AG 50W-X8. Matrix elements were eluted with 2 mol/l HCl, whereas 6 mol/l HNO₃ with oxalic acid and 8 mol/l HNO₃ were used to elute the elements to be determined. Some of the matrix elements could not be completely removed. This effect as well as the recovery rates of the determined elements were investigated. The measurements were performed by ICP-AES. Spectral interferences were also tested. Received: 8 November 1995/Revised: 12 March 1996/Accepted: 14 March 1996     

Comparison of microwave-assisted acid leaching techniques for the determination of heavy metals in sediments, soils, and sludges

Microwave-assisted EPA method 3051 for nitric acid leaching of environmentally key elements from sediments, soils, and sludges was tested, and the influence of leaching temperature and time on element recovery for an estuarine sediment (CRM 277) was investigated. The extraction efficiencies for four certified reference materials applying EPA method 3051, an optimized nitric acid procedure, and an aqua regia (HCl/HNO₃ 3:1) procedure were compared. Digestions were carried out in a high-pressure microwave system offering simultaneous temperature and pressure control for all digestion vessels employed. Eight elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. Extraction efficiency strongly depended on the applied leaching parameters and varied for certain elements among different materials when a nitric acid procedure was applied. In general, element recoveries obtained from the aqua regia procedure were superior to those obtained from nitric acid procedures and showed good agreement with the 95% confidence interval of the certified value for most of the elements investigated. Received: 27 March 1998 / Revised: 29 June 1998 / Accepted: 3 July 1998     

Determination of cobalt,molybdenum and vanadium in austrian mineral waters by ICP-AES after ion-exchange separation and preconcentration

A method is described for the determination of cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium in mineral water samples by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) after separation of these elements from the matrix by ion exchange. The samples are acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid (10 ml/l) and the elements are adsorbed as thiocyanate complexes. Elution is performed with a mixture 2M in perchloric acid and 1M in hydrochloric acid and subsequently with 1M hydrochloric acid. After evaporation of the eluates and dissolution of the residue the volume of the measuring solution for ICP-AES is 10 ml. The recoveries for Co, Mo and V at a concentration level of 1 g/1 in mineral waters were approximately 99%. A concentration factor of 100 is achieved by this procedure.     

Analysis of powdered tungsten carbide hard-metal precursors and cemented compact tungsten carbides using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been applied to the direct analysis of powdered tungsten carbide hard-metal precursors and cemented tungsten carbides. The aim of this work was to examine the possibility of quantitative determination of the niobium, titanium, tantalum and cobalt. The investigated samples were in the form of pellets, pressed with and without binder (powdered silver) and in the form of cemented tungsten carbides. The pellets were prepared by pressing the powdered material in a hydraulic press. Cemented tungsten carbides were embedded in resin for easier manipulation.

Several lasers and detection systems were utilized. The Nd:YAG laser working at a basic wavelength of 1064 nm and fourth-harmonic frequency of 266 nm with a gated photomultiplier or ICCD detector HORIBA JY was used for the determination of niobium which was chosen as a model element. Different types of surrounding gases (air, He, Ar) were investigated for analysis. The ICCD detector DICAM PRO with Mechelle 7500 spectrometer with ArF laser (193 nm) and KrF laser (248 nm) were employed for the determination of niobium, titanium, tantalum and cobalt in samples under air atmosphere. Good calibration curves were obtained for Nb, Ti, and Ta (coefficients of determination r² > 0.96). Acceptable calibration curves were acquired for the determination of cobalt (coefficient of determination r² = 0.7994) but only for the cemented samples. In the case of powdered carbide precursors, the calibration for cobalt was found to be problematic.     

Speciation, liquid-liquid extraction, sequential separation, preconcentration, transport and ICP-AES determination of Cr(III), Mo(VI) and W(VI) with calix-crown hydroxamic acid in high purity grade materials and environmental samples

A new functionalized calix[6]crown hydroxamic acid is reported for the speciation, liquid-liquid extraction, sequential separation and trace determination of Cr(III), Mo(VI) and W(VI). Chromium(III), molybdenum(VI) and tungsten(VI) are extracted at pH 4.5, 1.5 M HCl and 6.0 M HCl, respectively with calixcrown hydroxamic acid (37,38,39,40,41,42-hexahydroxy7,25,31-calix[6]crown hydroxamic acid) in chloroform in presence of large number of cations and anions. The extraction mechanism is investigated. The various extraction parameters, appropriate pH/M HCl, choice of solvent, effect of the reagent concentration, temperature and distribution constant have been studied. The speciation, preconcentration and kinetic of transport has been investigated. The maximum transport is observed 35, 45 and 30 min for chromium(III), molybdenum(VI) and tungsten(IV), respectively. For trace determination the extracts were directly inserted into the plasma for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, ICP-AES, measurements of chromium, molybdenum and tungsten which increase the sensitivity by 30-fold, with detection limits of 3 ng ml⁻¹. The method is applied for the determination of chromium, molybdenum and tungsten in high purity grade ores, biological and environmental samples. The chromium was recovered from the effluent of electroplating industries.     

Determination of tungsten in niobium-tantalum, vanadium and molybdenum bearing geological samples using derivative spectrophotometry and ICP-AES

Two different procedures, one using derivative spectrophotometry and another using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) have been developed for the determination of tungsten in niobate-tantalates, tin slag samples, ores, concentrates and vanadium and molybdenum bearing geological materials. In the first method involving derivative spectrophotometry, 0.05-0.5 g of the sample is fused with sodium hydroxide, the tungsten is extracted by leaching the melt with distilled water and estimated as thiocyanate using a second derivative spectrophotometric method in the presence of interferents, i.e. Nb, Mo and V, without separating them. Mixtures of tungsten with V, Nb and Mo are used for standardizing the various parameters like zero-crossing wavelength, wavelength range, etc. Tolerance limits for V, Nb and Mo have also been evaluated. In the second method involving ICP-AES, 0.05-0.5 g of sample is fused with KHSO(4) to a clear melt and dissolved in ammonium oxalate solution. Ammonium hydroxide precipitation is then carried out to separate Nb and Ta as hydroxides and the filtrate is boiled with nitric acid to destroy the oxalates before aspiration into the plasma for measurement of tungsten values by ICP-AES using the 207.911 nm emission line. Both methods have been applied to niobate-tantalate and tin slag samples and the results obtained are reported in this paper. The values obtained by both methods are in good agreement with each other. The proposed methods have also been applied to the determination of tungsten in two Canadian Certified Reference Standards (CT-1 and MP-2) and the values obtained are in good agreement with the certified values and the R.S.D.% in case of the ICP-AES method varied from 1-2% at >1000 mug g(-1) level to 9.4% at the 20 mug g(-1) level whereas the R.S.D.% in case of the derivative method varied from 1 to 7.8%.     

Synthesis of novel chitosan resin derivatized with serine diacetic acid moiety and its application to on-line collection/concentration of trace elements and their determination using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

A novel chelating resin functionalized with serine diacetic acid moiety was synthesized by using chitosan as base material, and applied to the collection/concentration of trace elements in environmental water samples, followed by the determination using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The synthesized resin, crosslinked chitosan serine diacetic acid (CCTS-SDA), showed good adsorption behavior toward trace amounts of Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, V, Ga, Sc, In, and Th in a wide pH range. Additionally, rare earth elements also can be retained on the resin at neutral pH region. The adsorbed elements can be easily eluted with 1 mol L⁻¹ of nitric acid, and their recoveries were found to be 90-100%. The CCTS-SDA was packed in a mini-column, which was then installed in a computer-controlled auto-pretreatment system (Auto-Pret System) for on-line trace elements collection and determination with ICP-AES. Experimental parameters which related to the improvement of sensitivity and reproducibility were optimized. The limits of detection (LOD) for 13 elements were found to be in sub-ppb level. The proposed method with CCTS-SDA resin was successfully applied to the determination of trace elements in river water samples. The method was validated by determining a certified reference material of river water, SLRS-4.     

Sequential determination of tin, arsenic, bismuth and antimony in marine sediment material by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using a small concentric hydride generator and L-cysteine as prereductant

A hydride generation system using a small concentric hydride generator combined with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was established to determine tin, arsenic, bismuth and antimony in a marine sediment material with L-cysteine as a pre-reductant. Influences of concentrations of three kinds of acids (HCl, HNO₃ and HClO₄), L-cysteine, and sodium tetrahydroborate(III) as well as sodium hydroxide were investigated. The interferences from transition ions were found to be insignificant for determination of the four elements in presence of L-cysteine. Under optimized conditions the detection limits were 0.6 ng/mL for arsenic(III), 0.8 ng/mL for antimony(III), 1.7 ng/mL for tin(IV), and 1.2 ng/mL for bismuth(III). The method was applied to determine the four elements in standard marine sediment materials and the results were in agreement with certified values. Received: 4 September 1997 / Revised: 14 October 1997 / Accepted: 7 November 1997     

Simultaneous determination of metallic elements in precipitates and inclusions extracted from steel by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

A study was made about the possibility of extracting complex precipitates, containing carbides, nitrides, intermetallic compounds, from low-alloy steels, high-alloy steels and heat-resistant super alloys by single electrolysis operation, followed by the simultaneous determination of all metallic elements in the precipitates by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). As a result, it was found that 4–5 metallic elements, such as Nb, Mo and Cr, whose determination had been considered difficult even by wet chemical analysis, can be simultaneously determined in the dissolved state in which Na₂S₂O₇ and tartaric acid (20%) added for the treatment of precipitates are concomitants.ICP-AES simplifies the analytical operation considerably and shortens the analytical time from about 18 h by conventional methods to about 1 h.     

Determination of bismuth and lead in geological samples by electrothermal AAS Part 1. Comparative study of tungsten containing chemical modifiers

A comparative study on the efficiency of some tungsten containing chemical modifiers such as W, W+Pd, W+Rh, W+Pt and W+Ru for thermal stabilization of Bi, In, Pb and Sb has been performed systematically by a Zeeman electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometer (ETAAS). The addition of tartaric acid (TA) as a reducing agent additionally to the mixed modifiers was studied. A mixture of W+Pd+TA was found to be a powerful mixed modifier for the determination of Bi, In, Pb and Sb. Pretreatment temperatures could be increased up to 1250–1500° C using this mixed modifier. The use of the mixed modifier results in an enhanced accuracy and precision of the method and recovery rates above 97% for all samples. The W+Pd+TA mixed modifier was applied to the determination of Bi and Pb in dissolved geological reference samples. Received: 14 March 1996 / Revised: 3 June 1996 / Accepted: 30 June 1996     

Determination of bismuth and lead in geological samples by electrothermal AAS Part 1. Comparative study of tungsten containing chemical modifiers

A comparative study on the efficiency of some tungsten containing chemical modifiers such as W, W+Pd, W+Rh, W+Pt and W+Ru for thermal stabilization of Bi, In, Pb and Sb has been performed systematically by a Zeeman electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometer (ETAAS). The addition of tartaric acid (TA) as a reducing agent additionally to the mixed modifiers was studied. A mixture of W+Pd+TA was found to be a powerful mixed modifier for the determination of Bi, In, Pb and Sb. Pretreatment temperatures could be increased up to 1250–1500° C using this mixed modifier. The use of the mixed modifier results in an enhanced accuracy and precision of the method and recovery rates above 97% for all samples. The W+Pd+TA mixed modifier was applied to the determination of Bi and Pb in dissolved geological reference samples. Received: 14 March 1996 / Revised: 3 June 1996 / Accepted: 30 June 1996     

Bestimmung von Spurenelementen in Wolfram mit sequentieller ICP-AES

Zusammenfassung Durch Einsatz eines hochauflösenden Monochromators mit einer geeigneten Auswertemethode können 27 Spurenelemente im Reinwolfram direkt durch sequentielle ICP-AES ohne Matrixabtrennung oder Anreicherungsschritte bestimmt werden. Die Analysenlinien, die experimentellen Bedingungen, die Auswertemethode und die praktischen Bestimmungsgrenzen werden angegeben.

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Determination of trace elements in tungsten with sequential ICP-AES

Summary When using a high resolution monochromator with a well adopted evaluation method, the direct determination of 27 trace elements in pure tungsten can be performed by sequential ICP-AES without matrix separation or enrichment operations. Analytical lines, experimental conditions, the method of evaluation and limits of determination are given.

     

Semi-automatic determination of tin in marine materials by continuous flow hydride generation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

 A semi-automated continuous flow hydride generation system with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was used for the determination of tin in marine materials. The effects of acids (H₂SO₄ and HCl) were studied. The analytical parameters were thoroughly investigated. Under optimized conditions, the detection limit is 0.4 ng/ml. Interferences from transition elements were investigated and seven masking reagents were tested. L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate (1%) was used to mask the interferences from foreign ions. Finally, the accuracy, checked with a marine standard reference material obtained from the National Research Council (NRC), was within the certified value. Received: 23 April 1996/Revised: 8 July 1996/Accepted: 15 July 1996     

Analysis of tungsten carbides by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Five sample presentation techniques were examined for the X-ray fluorescence spectrometric analysis of tungsten carbide alloys in powder and cemented forms. Powder samples may be oxidized by air at 600° before fusion (I), or preferably by lithium nitrate during fusion (II); the fusion is effected with lithium-lanthanum tetraborate followed by briquetting with graphite. Powder samples may also be blended with wax and briquetted (III). Cemented carbides are surface-prepared with silicon carbide before analysis (V). Briquettes prepared by blending carbide powder, lithium-lanthanum tetraborate and graphite (IV), give poor reproducibility, however, owing to micro-absorption effects the technique is not recommended. The determination of eight common elements in tungsten carbide is discussed and the relative standard deviations are 0.002–0.004 for major and 0.008–0.01 for minor elements.     

Determination of antimony,arsenic, bismuth and copper by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry in the electrorefining of copper

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emissionspectrometry (ICP-AES) has been applied as a rapid and routine method for the analysis of process electrolytes in the electrorefining of copper. Antimony, arsenic, bismuth and copper have been selected as major electrolyte constituents. For these elements profound statistical studies of spectral and interelement effects have been carried out. For As, Bi and Sb two analyte wavelengths have been selected, and for Cu one relatively insensitive analyte line has been chosen due to the high Cu concentration in samples. Best analytical lines were: As at 193.759 nm, Bi at 306.772 nm, Sb at 206.833 nm and Cu at 216.953 nm. Multiple linear regression proved to be very capable in the search of the best analytical wavelength and identifying interfering elements. Using simple acid based standards all elements investigated can be determined separately in complicated matrices with satisfactory results. Differences between true values and measured values can be partly eliminated by appropriate calculational methods.     

On-line coupling of ion chromatography and atomic spectrometry and use of direct graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry as new tools for ultra trace determinations in refractory metals

On-line coupling of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) techniques such as ICP-AES and ICP-MS with ion chromatography (IC) offers unique features for ultra-trace analysis. An on-line preconcentration procedure based on cation exchange enables sub-ng/g analysis in complex matrices like molybdenum and tungsten. The best dissolution reagent for these matrices is hydrogen peroxide, which can be cleaned to ultra high purity with the same metal free chromatography equipment used for the preconcentration. Preconcentration is possible for elements that show cationic reactions within acidic peroxide containing solutions. In this study 28 elements detrimental for microelectronics applications are observed. A comparison of the combinations IC-ICP-AES and IC-ICP-MS with glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS) for the analysis of today's purest tungsten samples shows the analytical power and accuracy of the coupled devices. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) as an extremely sensitive analytical technique is applied with and without the same sample pretreatment as used for the on-line coupling. Direct GFAAS measurements of alkali metals are complementary to IC-ICP techniques. The data evaluated with these wet chemical techniques are compared to the usual manufacturers characterisation technique GDMS. With respect to the low concentrations present in these high purity materials (ng/g level in the solid) the discrepancies between all methods are acceptable. The sensitivity of IC-ICP-MS is in most cases far superior to IC-ICP-AES and for some elements also to GDMS. Furthermore the specific advantages of on-line coupling such as the elimination of isobaric interferences in ICP-MS or spectral interferences in ICP-AES are shown for ICP-AES and ICP-MS determinations.     

Sequential determination of tin, arsenic, bismuth and antimony in marine sediment material by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using a small concentric hydride generator and L-cysteine as prereductant

A hydride generation system using a small concentric hydride generator combined with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was established to determine tin, arsenic, bismuth and antimony in a marine sediment material with L-cysteine as a pre-reductant. Influences of concentrations of three kinds of acids (HCl, HNO₃ and HClO₄), L-cysteine, and sodium tetrahydroborate(III) as well as sodium hydroxide were investigated. The interferences from transition ions were found to be insignificant for determination of the four elements in presence of L-cysteine. Under optimized conditions the detection limits were 0.6 ng/mL for arsenic(III), 0.8 ng/mL for antimony(III), 1.7 ng/mL for tin(IV), and 1.2 ng/mL for bismuth(III). The method was applied to determine the four elements in standard marine sediment materials and the results were in agreement with certified values.     

Sequential extraction of U, Th, Ce, La and some heavy metals in sediments from Ortigas river, Spain

The extractable contents of U, Th, Ce, La, Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn in two sediment samples collected from the Ortigas river have been analysed using the three step sequential extraction procedure (SEP) described by BCR, Community Bureau of Reference (now Standards Measurements and Testing Programme) of the European Union. In order to perform a mass balance, a fourth step has been included, i.e. digestion of the residue from the third extraction step. ICP-AES was used for the determination of Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Th, Ce and La. Because of the inadequate sensitivity of ICP-AES for the analysis of uranium, ICP-MS was used for the determination of this element. Standard addition method was required, because of the matrix effects. Finally, SEP was applied to the Ortigas river sediments, showing that most of the elements were found mainly associated with the residual sediment fraction, except for uranium, which was found as an exchangeable species in approximately 60% of its total content. Recoveries of 86-108% have been obtained.     

Anion-exchange separation of iron,cobalt and nickel

From 90% acetone-10% 6 M hydrochloric acid medium, cobalt and nickel are strongly adsorbed on the anion-exchange resin Dowex I-X8; iron is not adsorbed and can thus be separated from cobalt and nickel. Cobalt and nickel are then separated by elution with 70% acetone-30% 2 M hydrochloric acid; nickel is eluted before cobalt. The method can be applied to the determination of nickel and cobalt in materials with high iron content such as steels ; compleximetric titrations are used for the final step.