Flow fluorimetry of trace amounts of uranium(VI) after preconcentration on a tri-n-octylphosphine oxide/polyethylene column and elution with hydrogenphosphate solution

The fluorescence of uranyl ion is enhanced in phosphoric acid medium and in hydrogen-phosphate medium. The pH dependence of the fluorescence intensity showed maxima at pH 1–2 and pH 7–8. The concentration of phosphoric acid which gave maximum intensity was around 1 M, but in the hydrogenphosphate media an increase in the concentration lowered the intensity. The procedure was used in combination with preconcentration on a tri-n-octylphosphine oxide/polyethylene column. This simple system provided a limit of detection of 0.04 μg for uranium and the calibration graph was linear for the range 0.08–0.8 μg of uranium when 4–15 ml of sample solution was passed through the column. The flow fluorimetric method was applied to the determination of uranium in a spinel.