Microwave digestion-ICP-MS for elemental analysis in ambient airborne fine particulate matter: rare earth elements and validation using a filter borne fine particle certified reference material

NIST standard reference material SRM 2783 was employed to validate a high temperature, high pressure, two-stage microwave assisted acid digestion procedure using HNO₃, HF and H₃BO₃ developed for the analysis of trace elements (including rare earths) in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) prior to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This method quantitatively solubilized Na, Mg, Al, K, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sb, Cd, Cs, Ba, Pb, Th, U and several rare earth elements (REEs) (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Dy, Er, Sm and Eu) from SRM 1648 and SRM 2783. A small amount of HF in the first stage was required to dissolve silicates necessitating the corresponding addition of H₃BO₃ in second stage to dissolve fluoride precipitates of Mg, La, Ce and Th. The optimized microwave dissolution—ICP-MS method detected Na, Mg, Al, K, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Mo, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Pb, Th and U at trace to ultra-trace levels in ambient airborne fine particles from three sites in North Carolina. La to light lanthanide signature ratios suggested that soil and motor vehicles are the dominant REE sources in SRM 2783 and PM_2.5 samples collected during this study.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and luminescent properties of an isotypic series of rare-earths complexes with a dialdehyde ligand

A series of mononuclear complexes based on lanthanide ions has been synthesized and X-ray characterized. The compounds [Ln^IIIL₂(NO₃)₃(H₂O)₂] (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd and Tm; L = 2,6-bis(2-formylphenoxymethyl)pyridine) are found to be isomorphous and isostructural. Ligand L systematically coordinates through one carbonyl functionality, and the resulting complexes are placed on a twofold axis in crystals belonging to C2/c space-group. Emission spectra for Ln = La, Pr, Nd revealed a correlation between the Ln–O coordination bond length and the photoluminescent properties of the complexes, in line with a Förster–Dexter mechanism for intramolecular energy transfer. Ligand L is therefore a suitable sensitizer for lanthanide ions.     

Separation of Rare-Earth Elements from Nitrate Solutions by Solvent Extraction Using Mixtures of Methyltri-n-octylammonium Nitrate and Tri-n-butyl Phosphate

The article presents data on the solvent extraction separation of rare-earth elements (REEs), such as La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III), and Nd(III), using synergic mixtures of methyltrioctylammonium nitrate (TOMANO₃) with tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) from weakly acidic nitrate solutions. Specifically, experimental results on separation of REEs, for the pair Ce(III)/Pr(III) for quaternary mixtures of REEs (La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III)) and for the pair La(III)/Pr(III) for solutions containing La(III), Pr(III), and Nd(III), are presented. It was shown that effective separation for the pair Ce(III)/Pr(III) from a solution containing 219 g Ce(III)/L, 106 g La(III)/L, 20 g Pr(III)/L, 55 g Nd(III)/L, and 0.1 mol/L HNO₃, was achieved using 56 steps of a multistage, counter-current solvent extraction cascade with scrubbing, at an organic-to-aqueous phase volume ratio (O/A) equal to 2/1 on the extraction section and O/A equal to 4/1 on the scrubbing section, using 3.3 mol/L solutions of the mixture TOMANO₃-TBP with molar ratio 0.15:0.85 in dodecane. Separation for the pair La(III)/Pr(III) could be achieved using a solvent extraction cascade with scrubbing in 32 steps at O/A equal to 2/1 on the extraction section and O/A equal to 2.8/1 on the scrubbing section of the solvent extraction cascade from a solution containing 258 g La(III)/L, 58 g Pr(III)/L, 141 g Nd(III)/L, and 0.1 mol/L HNO₃ with 3.0 mol/L solution of the mixture TOMANO₃-TBP with molar ratio 0.2:0.8 in dodecane.     

Structure and physical properties of rare-earth zinc antimonides REZn1-xSb2 (RE=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb)

The ternary rare-earth zinc antimonides REZn_1-xSb₂ (RE=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb) were prepared by heating at 1050 °C followed by annealing at 600 °C. For all members, single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies indicated that the Zn deficiency is essentially fixed, corresponding to the formula REZn_0.6Sb₂, with no appreciable homogeneity range. These compounds adopt the HfCuSi₂-type structure (Pearson symbol tP8, space group P4/nmm, Z=2). Single-crystal electrical resistivity measurements confirmed the occurrence of an abrupt resistivity decrease near 4 K for RE=Ce, and a less pronounced one for RE=La, Pr, and Gd. Except for the ferromagnetic Ce (T_c=2.5 K) and antiferromagnetic Tb (T_N=10 K) members, all remaining compounds exhibit no long-range magnetic ordering down to 2 K, instead showing temperature-independent (RE=La), van Vleck (RE=Sm), or Curie-Weiss paramagnetism (RE=Pr, Nd, Gd).     

Microwave-induced combustion of crude oil for further rare earth elements determination by USN–ICP-MS

A procedure for light and heavy crude oils digestion by microwave-induced combustion (MIC) is proposed for the first time for further rare earth elements (REE) determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) equipped with an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN). Samples of crude oil (API density of 10.8–23.5, up to 250 mg) were inserted in polycarbonate capsules and combusted using 20 bar of oxygen and 50 μL of 6 mol L⁻¹ ammonium nitrate as igniter. Nitric acid solutions (1–14.4 mol L⁻¹) were evaluated for analyte absorption and a reflux step was applied after combustion (5 min of microwave irradiation at 1400 W) in order to achieve better analyte recoveries. Accuracy was evaluated using a spiked sample and also by comparison of results obtained by microwave-assisted digestion combined to ultraviolet radiation (MW–UV) and by neutron activation analysis (NAA). Using 3 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃, quantitative recoveries (better than 97%) were obtained for all analytes. Blank values were always negligible. Agreement was higher than 96% for La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y by comparison of results with those obtained by MW–UV and by NAA (only for La, Ce, Nd, Sm, and Yb). Residual carbon content in digests using MIC was always below 1%. As an advantage over conventional procedures for crude oil digestion, using MIC, it was possible to use diluted acid as absorbing solution, obtaining better limits of detection and avoiding interferences in REE determination by USN–ICP-MS.     

Verbindungen der Seltenerdelemente mit α-Benzoinoxim, 1. Mitt.

Zusammenfassung Substanzen der ZusammensetzungLnCl₃·3H₂ Box ^* (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Y) und LaBr₃·3 H₂ Box wurden isoliert und durch Thermoanalyse, IR-Absorptionsspektren und Röntgenstreuung charakterisiert.

---

Compounds of the rare earth elements with -benzoin oxime

Compounds of compositionLnCl₃·3 H₂ Box ^* (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Y) and LaBr₃·3H₂ Box were isolated and characterized by thermoanalysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

     

Herstellung von Seltenerdcyaniden

Zusammenfassung Seltenerd-cyanoargentateM[Ag(CN)₂]₃ wurden hergestellt (M=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er und Y), die aus wäßriger Lösung mit 3–4 Mol H₂O kristallisieren. Pr-cyanoargentat wurde entwässert und mit Li reduziert; hierbei konnte das in Tetrahydrofuran (THF) unlösliche Pr(CN)₃ im Gemisch mit anderen Stoffen erhalten werden. Da sich LiCN als inTHF löslich erwies, wurde die Herstellung aus AgCN und Li inTHF in Gegenwart von Naphthalin verbessert. LiCN wurde mit Seltenerdbromid-THF-Solvaten inTHF umgesetzt; hierbei fielen die bisher unbekannten einfachen Erdcyanide aus, die sehr zersetzlich sind und nach dem Trocknen die ZusammensetzungM(CN₃)· ·2THF besaßen (M=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm Yb, Lu und Y). Die Umsetzung verläuft bei den Verbindungen der Ceriterden schwieriger als bei denen der Yttererden; die Cyanide von La und Ce wurden nur mit überschüssigemTHF erhalten.

---

Rare-earth cyanoargentatesM[Ag(CN)₂]₃ were prepared (M=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Y), crystallising from aqueous solution with 3–4 moles of water. Pr-cyanoargentate was dehydrated and reduced with Li yielding some Pr(CN)₃, insoluble in tetrahydrofurane (THF), in mixture with other substances. Because LiCN proved to be soluble inTHF, the preparation from AgCN and Li inTHF in the presence of naphthalene was refined. LiCN was reacted with rare-earth bromide-THF-solvates inTHF, whereupon precipitation occured of the hitherto unknown, very sensitive to moisture simple rareearth cyanides, which after drying had the compositionM(CN)₃· ·2THF (M=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y). The reaction is more difficult with the lighter lanthanon bromides than with the heavier ones; the cyanides of La and Ce were prepared only with excessTHF.

---

---

Mit 1 Abbildung     

Study of the thermal decomposition kinetics of some rare earth carbonates,fluorocarbonates and fluorooxalates

The thermal transformations of Pr and La carbonates, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd fluorocarbonates, and La, Nd, Dy and Ho fluorooxalates were investigated. A Derivatograph Q-1000 (MOM, Hungary) was used for thermal analysis. The kinetics of the processes was studied in a flow reactor. The activation energies and preexponential factors for dehydration and decarbonization were calculated. Samples of Pr fluorocarbonate, Ho fluorooxalate, and Pr and La carbonates were exposed to γ-irradiation (dose from 6.2·10⁶ to 6.1·10⁷ rad). The influence of the irradiation dose upon the kinetic parameters (E _a andA) of the processes was investigated.     

Synthesis and characterization of some new lanthanide(III) chelates with 1,4-bis-(2′-hydroxyphenylazomethine) phenylene

Summary The chelates formed between 1,4-bis(2-hydroxyphenylazomethine) phenylene with La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, and Lu ions have been investigated in solution using conductometric, potentiometric, and spectrophotometric methods. The studies revealed the formation ofM ₂ L andML complexes. The solid chelates have been characterized by elemental and thermal analysis, molar conductance, IR,¹H NMR (for La and Lu chelates), and electronic spectra. The bonding takes place through the coordination of nitrogen in the -CH=N- group and the oxygen of the hydroxyl group by proton displacement.

---

Synthese und Charakterisierung einiger neuer Lanthanid(III)-Chelate mit 1,4-bis-(2-Hydroxyphenylazomethin)-phenylen

Zusammenfassung Chelate von 1,4-bis-(2-Hydroxyphenylazomethin)-phenylen mit La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb und Lu in Lösung wurden konduktometrisch, potentiometrisch und spektrophotometrisch untersucht. Die Bildung von Komplexen der FormM ₂ L undML wurde festgestellt. Die festen Chelate wurden mittels Elementaranalyse. Thermoanalyse, molarer Leitfähigkeit, IR-, UV/Vis-und im Fall von La und Lu-NMR-Spektroskopie charakterisiert. Die Komplexbindung erfolgt durch Koordination des Stickstoffs der -CH=N- Gruppe und des Sauerstoffs der Hydroxylgruppe unter Protonenverschiebung.

     

LnSrScO4 (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm) systems and structure correlations for A2BO4 (K2NiF4) structure types

The compounds LnSrScO₄, where Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm, have been synthesized. Rietveld profile analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data collected at room temperature reveal that the compounds possess a modified K₂NiF₄-type structure with orthorhombic cell symmetry formed by tilting of the ScO₆ octahedra. Variable temperature (25-1200 °C) powder X-ray diffraction data show that at the highest temperatures the structures of LaSrScO₄ and PrSrScO₄ transform to the regular tetragonal K₂NiF₄-structure type but the degree of orthorhombicity (c/a) in the unit cells initially increases on heating for all materials, reaching a maximum near 300 °C. This structural behavior is analyzed in terms of relative ionic radii of the various lanthanides and scandium. A general structural model based on tolerance factors has been developed for the family of materials A₂BO₄ with various A and B cation sizes.     

Thermal decomposition of rare earth element suberates in air atmosphere

The condition of thermal decomposition of La, Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd, Sm, Eu(III), Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu suberates were studied. The suberates of Ce(III), Sm, Eu(III), Ho, Tm, Yb and Lu heated lose crystallization water. Anhydrous Sm and Eu(III) suberates decompose to oxides with intermediate formation Ln₂O₂CO₃, whereas suberates of other lanthanides decompose directly to oxides. Suberates of La, Pr(III), Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy and Er lose some water molecules and then decompose directly to oxides. Only La complex decomposes to La₂O₃ via the intermediate formation La₂O₂CO₃.

---

Zusammenfassung Es wurden die UmstÄnde der thermischen Zersetzung von La-, Ce(III)-, Pr(III)-, Nd-, Sm-, Eu(III)-, Gd-, Tb-, Dy-, Ho-, Er-, Tm-, Yb- und Lu-suberat untersucht. Bei Erhitzen verlieren Ce(III)-, Sm-, Eu(III)-, Ho-, Tm-, Yb- und Lu-suberat Kristallwasser. Wasserfreies Sm-bzw. Eu(III)-suberat zersetzt sich über das Zwischenprodukt der Zusammensetzung Ln₂O₂CO₃ zum Oxid, wÄhrend sich die Suberate der anderen Lanthanoide direkt zu den Oxiden zersetzen. La-, Pr(III)-, Nd-, Gd-, Tb-, Dy- und Er-suberat geben einige Moleküle Kristallwasser ab und zersetzen sich dann direkt zu den Oxiden. Nur der Lanthankomplex zersetzt sich zu La₂O₃ über das Zwischenprodukt La₂O₂CO₃.

     

Determination of 36 elements in plant reference materials with different Si contents by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: comparison of microwave digestions assisted by three types of digestion mixtures

Closed-vessel microwave digestion of nine standard reference plant materials (NIST, BCR, IAEA) and a laboratory standard of plant material with different Si contents assisted by HNO₃ + H₂O₂ (procedure A), HNO₃ + H₂O₂ + HF + H₃BO₃ (procedure B) and HNO₃ + H₂O₂ + HBF₄ (procedure C) were used to determine the recovery of 36 elements by ICP-MS: Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, In, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nd, Ni, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, Th, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn. Additions of HF + H₃BO₃ and HBF₄ in procedures B and C exceeded by 10% (B1, C1) and 100% (B2, C2) the equivalent concentrations of Si in the samples determined by ICP-OES. Most recoveries of certified elements (e.g., Al^*, Cu, Mo^*, Rb^*, Sb^*, Th) decreased significantly (^*p ≤ 0.05) with increasing Si content in plant reference materials digested by procedure A, while the recoveries from procedures B and C decreased insignificantly only for Mo and Sb. Digestions B and C gave significantly higher recoveries of Al, Sb, W and REEs, which were tighter to the reference values of these elements. A similar effect was found for Cu, Fe, Li, Ni, Sn, Th, Tl, V, Zn, Ba, Rb and Sr recoveries in samples with Si contents exceeding 2000 μg g⁻¹. If the Si content in plant samples is less than 10 mg g⁻¹, digestion of 0.5 g of plant samples through 0.05 mL of HF and 0.5 mL of 4% H₃BO₃ or 0.1 mL of HBF₄ is recommended to get satisfactory results for most of the elements. For materials with Si content exceeding 10 mg g⁻¹ the weight of the sample for digestion should be reduced to 0.25 g. However, the operation of potential interferences should be taken into account and eliminated through correction equations and adequate dilution of the samples.     

Application of ICP-AES to the determination of rare earth elements in phosphate samples

Summary ICP-AES has been used for the determination of rare earth elements (REE) in samples of phosphorite deposits collected from the Western Desert, Egypt. Complete dissolution of the samples was achieved by using acid digestion with HF/HNO₃/HCl in a PTFE closed vessel and subsequent treatment with HClO₄, with the same procedure but with fuming HCl replacing HClO₄ and with HNO₃ and fuming HCl in a quartz vessel and subsequent treatment with HF/HClO₄/HNO₃. Analysis lines for La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy and Y were selected after study of the spectral interferences for the sample types concerned. Results revealed that the average total content of the REE, which could be directly determined in the present samples, varies between 1.08 and 1.53 mg/g, whereas individual element concentrations range from 40 to 300 g/g. Analysis results obtained with the different dissolution techniques were found to be in good agreement. On leave from the National Research Centre, Physics Department — Spectroscopy Laboratory, Cairo, Egypt     

Magneto,spectral and thermal studies of lanthanide perchlorato complexes of 5,6-benzoquinoline

A new series of complexes of 5,6-benzoquinoline (Benzqn) with lanthanide perchlorates with the general composition Ln(ClO₄)₃·7Benzqn (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy or Ho) were synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, conductance, molecular weight and infrared spectra. The thermal behaviour of these complexes have also been studied.     

The removal of Ce,Nd, Pr and La from Er,Dy, Gd,Eu and Sm by Anion exchange

An anion-exchange procedure with 35% 3.5 N nitric acid-65% methanol as eiuant has been developed for the removal of Ce, Nd, Pr and La from Er, Dy, Gd, Eu and Sm, at the trace concentration level.     

Potentiometric studies on the complexes of some trivalent rare earths with 5-chloropyridine-2,3-diol

The complexes of some rare earths [Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), and Ho(III)] with 5-chloropyridine-2,3-diol (CPD) were studied potentiometrically in 50% dioxane-water at a ionic strength of 0.1M (NaClO₄) at 35±0.1 °C. The proton-ligand stability constant ofCPD and the stability constants of its complexes with the metals have been determined using theCalvin-Bjerrum technique as modified byIrving andRossotti. The order of the stability constants is found to be Ce < Pr < Nd < Sm < Tb < Dy < Ho.

---

Potentiometrische Untersuchungen der Komplexe einiger trivalenter Seltenerdmetalle mit 5-Chlorpyridin-2,3-diol

Zusammenfassung Es wurden die Komplexe von Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Tb(III), Dy(III) und Ho(III) mit 5-Chlorpyridin-2,3-diol (CPD) in 50% Dioxan-Wasser bei einer Ionenstärke von 0,1M (NaClO₄) und einer Temperatur von 35±0,1 °C potentiometrisch untersucht. Die Proton-Ligand-Stabilitätskonstante vonCPD und die Stabilitätskonstanten der Metallkomplexe wurden nach der Methode vonCalvin-Bjerrum mit derIrving-Rossotti-Modifikation bestimmt. Die Reihenfolge der Stabilitätskonstanten ergab sich folgendermaßen: Ce < Pr < Nd < Sm < Tb < Dy < Ho.

     

A new application of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate [(NH4)2Ce(NO3)3] in fullerene chemistry—free-radical alkoxylation of C60 fullerene on reaction with primary alcohols

The reaction of [60]fullerene with primary aliphatic alcohols (ROH, R = Et, Me, Pr) mediated by cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate [(NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₃] affords the corresponding alkoxy-derivatives with a hydroxy group, C₆₀(OR)_x(OH) (x = 3, 4) in high yield. The reaction is characterized by a free radical mechanism confirmed by an EPR study of the alkoxy fullerenyl radical (g = 2.0023).     

Neue Pyridiniumchlorometallatverbindungen der Seltenerdelemente

Summary Reaction of the rare earth chlorides with pyridinium chloride in tetrahydrofuran (THF) under anhydrous conditions gave nearly insoluble precipitates of the composition (pyH)₃ RECl₆·THF (RE=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Y, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu). They were characterized by chemical analysis and IR spectroscopy; decompositionin vacuo was studied, yielding the hithero unknown complexes (pyH)₃ RECl₆ (RE=La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Tb, Ho, Y, Tm, and Lu).

     

Molar enthalpies of formation of LnAl2 compounds

The enthalpy of solution of Eu in Al and the standard molar enthalpy of formation of LnAl₂ (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb) were determined by dissolution calorimetry, using a calorimeter based on liquid aluminium. Experimental results are compared with model predictions.     

Ternary metal borides [La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm] Os4B4 and [Y,La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb] Ir4B4 with NdCo4B4-type structure

New ternary metal borides with compositionR. E. T ₄B₄ (R. E.=rare earth metal,T=transition metal) have been synthesized within the systems [La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm]–Os–B and [Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb]–Ir–B. All compounds were found to be crystallizing with NdCo₄B₄-type structure. Magnetic measurements (80–300 K,Curie-Weiss behaviour, _p ~ 16K and µ_eff=9.94µ_B for TbIr₄B₄) indicate Y andR. E. elements (except Ce) to be trivalent in these compounds. The crystal chemistry of the isotypic series [Y,R. E.] [Os,Ir]₄B₄ is discussed.

---

Ternäre Metallboride. [La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm] Os₄B₄ und [Y,La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb] Ir₄B₄ mit NdCo₄B₄-Struktur

Zusammenfassung Es wurden neue Metallboride der ZusammensetzungR. E. T ₄B₄ (R. E.=Seltenerdmetall,T=Übergangsmetall) innerhalb der Systeme [La,Ce, Pr,Nd,Sm]–Os–B und [Y,La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Gd,Tb]–Ir–B hergestellt. Alle Verbindungen kristallisieren entsprechend dem NdCo₄B₄-Typ. Magnetische Messungen (80–300K,Curie-Weiss-Verhalten, _p ~ 16K und µ_eff=9.94µ_B für TbIr₄B₄) zeigen an daß Y und dieR. E.-Elemente (ausgenommen Ce) in diesen Verbindungen trivalent sind. Die Kristallchemie der isotypen [Y,R. E.][Os,Ir]₄B₄-Verbindungen wird diskutiert.