Determination of thallium in zinc by proton activation analysis

The determination of thallium in unalloyed zinc by proton activation analysis, based on the ²⁰³Tl (p,3n)²⁰¹Pb reaction, is described. Lead-201 was radiochemically separated from the matrix activities (gallium, copper and zinc) by cation exchange, anodic deposition of lead (IV) oxide and precipitation as lead thionalide. Thallium (III) oxide was used as the standard. The method was applied to the BCR reference materials 321,322,323,324 and 325 Unalloyed Zinc. The detection limit is 17 ng g^?1. The relative standard deviation obtainable is 5-1% in the 1-40 μg g^?1 concentration range.     

Determination of chromium,iron and copper in niobium by radiochemical proton activation analysis

Chromium, iron and copper were determined in niobium by radiochemical proton activation analysis (PAA). The main steps of the technique involved the irradiation of the samples with 13 MeV protons, the post-irradiation decontamination of the sample surface, a two-step separation procedure based on anion exchange from HF and HCl medium, and counting the separated indicator radionuclides with a well-type NaI detector. For a 5-hr irradiation, limits of detection for chromium, iron, and copper were 0.2, 5.0, and 15 ppb respectively. The results obtained by this technique are compared with data obtained by radiochemical neutron activation analysis (NAA) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).     

Determination of carbon in copper by photon activation analysis

Determination of carbon in copper has been studied by photon activation analysis using 30 MeV bremsstrahlung. Chemical separation of carbon as CO₂ was performed by the combustion method in a high flow rate of oxygen stream. It has been demonstrated that the trace amount of carbon in copper can be determined accurately and precisely, and that the detection limit is 0.02 g.     

Determination of metal traces in tantalum by proton activation analysis

Procedures for determining traces of calcium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, copper, niobium, molybdenum and tungsten in tantalum are described utilizing 11 MeV proton activation. The instrumental method of analysis with the use of a Ge(Li) detector and the radiochemical separation of the corresponding fractions are described. The formula for the calculation of the concentration of traces with the use of thick target yields is given. Experimental data on the thick target yields of radioisotopes⁴⁴Sc,⁵²Mn,⁵⁶Co,⁶⁵Zn,^93mMo,⁹⁶Tc are presented. Based on the experimental data, the detection limits are estimated at 1–10 ppb for the above mentioned metal traces in tantalum. The successful solution of the task of the simultaneous determination of nine elements in tantalum confirms the wide applicability of proton activation analysis.     

Determination of oxygen in fluoride glass by proton activation analysis

Oxygen was determined in three kinds of ZrF₄-based fluoride glass [ZrF₄–BaF₂–GdF₃–AlF₃ (ZBGA), ZrF₄–BaF₂–LaF₃–YF₃–AlF₃–LiF–NaF (ZBLYALN) and ZrF₄–BaF₂–LaF₃–YF₃–AlF₃–LiF (ZBLYAL)] used for fabricating optical fiberby¹⁸O(p, n)¹⁸F reaction without significant nuclear interference. The main long life⁹⁶Nb nuclide was produced by the⁹⁶Zr(p,n) reaction in a non-destructive analysis of ZBGA-fluoride glass and reduced by using a coincidence system with Ge(Li) and NaI(T1) detectors. Substoichiometric separation of¹⁸F was also used to determine oxygen in fluoride glass, especially in glass containing yttrium as a component element because the⁸⁹Zr produced by the⁸⁹Y(p,n) reaction is a positron emitter, the same as¹⁸F. It was confirmed that the oxygen concentration in fluoride glass was 13–2460 ppm related to the loss by scattering.     

Determination of arsenic in silicon matrices by proton activation analysis

Proton activation analysis is applied to the determination of As in high-purity silicon, ion implanted with nominal doses ranging from 10¹⁴ to 10¹⁶ atoms/cm². Both instrumental and radiochemical versions have been developed. The⁷⁵ As(p, n)⁷⁵Se,⁷⁵ As(p, 3n)⁷³Se and⁷⁵ As(p, pn)⁷⁴ As nuclear reactions have been considered in order to get the best activation conditions for delayed measurements by gamma spectrometry.     

Determination of sulphur in fly ash by instrumental proton activation analysis

A method for the determination of sulphur in fly ash by instrumental proton activation analysis using the³⁴S/p,n/^34mCl reaction was developed. The 2128.5 keV and 3305.0 keV -rays of^34mCl /t=32.0 min/ were measured on a Ge/Li/ -spectrometer, shielded with a lead absorber to attenuate low energy -rays. Irradiation and measuring conditions were optimized. The detection limit for instrumental analysis is 0.3 to 1 mg g^–1 and the standard deviation is cca. 4% for a typical sample.     

Simultaneous determination of iron,cadmium and lead in zinc by proton activation analysis

Iron, cadmium and lead are determined in zinc by proton activation followed by chemical separation of the indicator radionuclides. The method provides detection limits of 0.03, 0.008 ad 0.1 μg g^?1 for iron, cadmium and lead, respectively. The BCR Unalloyed Zinc reference material 321 was analysed. Concentrations of 2.23, 0.215 and 4.641 μg g^? with 1–7% relative standard deviation were obtained for iron, cadmium and lead, respectively. These results contributed to the provisional certification of the reference material.     

Determination of copper in high-purity tin by reactor neutron activation analysis

For the determination of very low concentrations of copper in tin, an analytical method involving reactor neutron activation was developed whereby the copper activity was separated from the tin matrix by extraction of the Cu(I) cuproin complex in n-amyl alcohol. A new decontamination technique was sought in order to remove the copper contamination present on the tin surface. Pre-irradiation removal of the tin surface combined with post-irradiation etching appeared to be the most efficient.     

Determination of copper in biological samples by substoichiometric neutron activation analysis

A method has been described for the determination of trace amounts of copper in biological samples by thermal neutron activation analysis, involving radiochemical separation of copper from irradiated matrix employing substoichiometric extraction of Cu/II/ with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole /2-HMBT/ into chloroform. 4.01 g of Cu/II/ can be determined with an accuracy of 3.13% and precision of 1.08%.     

Determination of copper,gallium and zinc in “standard rocks” by neutron activation

A neutron activation method for the simultaneous determination of copper, gallium and zinc in rocks is described. The method is based on anion-exchange separation steps and measurement of γ-activity. Chemical yields were determined by re-activation. Results for a series of igneous “standard rocks” are presented. The accuracy of the mean values is ca. 5% for concentrations exceeding 10 p.p.m.     

The determination of sulphur in copper,nickel and aluminium alloys by proton activation analysis

The ³⁴S(p, n)^34mCl reaction induced by 13-MeV protons is used for the determination of sulphur in copper, nickel and aluminium alloys. The ^34mCl is separated by repeated precipitation as silver chloride. The results obtained were 3.08 ± 0.47, 1.47 ± 0.17 and <1μg g^-1 for copper, nickel and aluminium alloys, respectively.     

Determination of copper in some Myanmar indigenous medicines by neutron activation analysis

Copper was determined in two Myanmar indigenous medicines by neutron activation analysis using an Am (Be) radionuclide neutron source. The activity of 511 keV peak of the⁶⁴Cu was measured.     

Determination of zinc in copper by atomic-fluorescence flame spectroscopy

The application of atomic-fluorescence flame spectroscopy to the determination of trace quantities of zinc in copper is described. A limit of detection of 10(-5)% zinc in copper has been established. The scatter of primary radiation from within the flame determined the limit of detection, but it is suggested that scatter is not a serious limitation to the practical application of the technique.     

Determination of zinc in clay and pottery materials by instrumental neutron activation analysis

The problems of determination of zinc in clay, ceramics and soils via ⁶⁵Zn using INAA are discussed. The applicability of different approaches for solving the influence of ⁴⁶Sc and ¹⁵²Eu by gamma-spectrometry on the line of ⁶⁵Zn at 1115.5 keV are experimentally evaluated. The application of the correction program ANGES for the calculation of the net peak area is demonstrated. All discussed approaches are checked by analyses of 10 SRM"s: Ohio Red Clay, Lefkandi brick, IAEA-SRM-Soil-1, IAEA-SRM-Soil-5, IAEA-SRM-Soil-7, IAEA-SRM-SL-3, GBW-08303, GBW-07406, NIST-SRM-2709 and BCR-SRM-520.     

Determination of arsenic,cadmium and zinc in river water by neutron activation analysis

A concentration apparatus has been developed for the determination of As, Cd and Zn in water by neutron activation. The preconcentration technique used for this purpose is based on the retention of As, Cd and Zn on the Rexyn 201 resin at pH 10. The apparatus used minimizes the manipulations needed for preconcentration and contamination by trace elements present in reagents. Eleven samples of water from rivers in the Montreal region were analyzed and the following concentrations were found (in μg/1): As 0.86–1.95, Cd 0.61–0.98 and Zn 4.6–12.9.     

Determination of activable isotopic tracers of zinc by neutron activation analysis for study of bioavailability of zinc

A procedure of pre-irradiation concentration of zinc in fecal samples using anion exchanger was developed for the study of the bioavailability of zinc by neutron activation analysis. The mass ratios between⁷⁰Zn and⁶⁸Zn, or⁶⁴Zn and their contents between natural zinc and enriched zinc are used to calculate the bioavailability of zinc when the abundance of the isotope⁷⁰Zn is not high ehough.     

Determination of Ti,V, Zn and W traces by proton activation analysis

Procedures are described for determining traces of titanium in scandium, vanadium in titanium, zinc in copper and tungsten in tantalum, utilizing activation with 11 Me V protons. Experimental data on⁴⁸V,⁵¹Cr,⁶⁶Ga and¹⁸²Re yields and analytical sensitivities are reported.     

Simultaneous estimation of copper, zinc, cadmium and mercury in biological material by neutron activation analysis

Simultaneous determination of copper, zinc, cadmium and mercury with high sensitivity is possible by neutron activation analysis. After irradiation, the samples are digested and an initial separation of the four elements made by means of an ion-exchange resin. The elements in the separated fractions are then treated to give radio-chemical purity, precipitated, and their activities measured. A purely instrumental technique for the analysis of zinc in samples of biological material is also described. The samples are irradiated for a week and after the activity has decayed for about three months it is measured on a gamma-spectrometer.     

Simultaneous determination of copper,manganese, zinc and sodium in plant materials by neutron activation analysis

Neutron activation analysis has been used for the simultaneous determination of Cu, Mn, Zn and Na in plant materials. The heterocyclic dye PAN has been applied as a chelating agent to achieve the group chemical separation of Mn, Cu, Ni and Zn. Various factors which affect the formation and extraction of the PAN-metal chelates have been studied and optimized, using suitable aqueous solutions to selectively strip these elements from the organic phase. This procedure has been applied to the determination of these elements in ‘Bowen’s Kale’ and U.S. NBS Citrus-leaves and Tomatoleaves samples.