Accurate determination of trace amounts of thorium in silicate rocks by cation-exchange chromatography and spectrophotometry

Thorium in four of the South African NIMROC standards and in four secondary standards is determined accurately by means of spectrophotometry with arsenazo-III after a selective cation-exchange separation on an AG50W-X4 resin column. All other elements are eluted with 6 M hydrobromic acid before the final elution of thorium with 5 M nitric acid. Small amounts of zirconium which may be present in the thorium eluate, are effectively complexed with oxalic acid which also eliminates the spectrophotometric interferences caused by organic material leached from the resin column. The accuracy and precision of the method are demonstrated by the analysis of synthetic mixtures containing various amounts of thorium. Amounts of 10 and 100 μg of thorium can finally be determined with coefficients of variation of 1% and 0.2%, respectively.     

A simple decomposition and chelating resin separation for the determination of heavy metals in silicates by atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple method for the determination of copper, nickel, zinc, and cadmium in silicate rock samples is reported. Silicates are decomposed with hydrofluoric acid and aqua regia in a sealed Teflon vessel. After centrifugation and addition of malonic acid, the supernatant liquid is passed through a small column of Chelex 100. The metals are eluted with 2 M nitric acid, and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The method is rapid, simple, and free from contamination. The results obtained for 14 standard reference rock samples (USGS, GSJ, and CSRM) agree with literature data; the recovery, reproducibility, and accuracy of the proposed method are satisfactory.     

Quantitative separation of lanthanides and scandium from barium,strontium and other elements by cation-exchange chromatography in nitric acid

The lanthanides plus yttrium and scandium are separated from Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg, Pb(II), Bi(III), Zn, Mn(II) and U(VI) by eluting these elements with 2.0 M nitric acid from a column of AG50W-X8 cation exchange resin (200-400 mesh). The lanthanides are retained and can then be eluted with 4 M nitric or hydrochloric acid. Separations are quantitative and applicable to microgram and millimolar amounts of the lanthanides and the other elements. Elements such as Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cd. Hg(II), T1(I). Ag, Be, Ti(IV) and the alkali metals should accompany barium quantitatively according to their known distribution coefficients. Relevant elution curves and results of analysis of synthetic mixtures are presented.     

Determination of ultratrace impurity elements in high purity niobium materials by on-line matrix separation and direct injection/inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The determination of 52 impurity elements in niobium materials (niobium metal, niobium oxide (V), and niobium pentaethoxide) was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with on-line anion exchange matrix separation as well as direct nebulization. Niobium material samples were decomposed with a mixture of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid to prepare 10% niobium solutions. In the on-line anion exchange matrix separation/ICP-MS, the niobium and hydrofluoric acid concentrations in sample solution were adjusted to 5% and ca. 8 M, respectively. The solution was then injected into the carrier stream from the sample loop of injection valve to pass through an anion exchange resin column. In the anion exchange separation, niobium in the fluoro-complex form was adsorbed on the resin, while impurity elements were eluted. The eluted elements were introduced into ICP-MS for the determination of 25 impurity elements. On the other hand, 27 impurity elements could not be separated well from niobium matrix under the above anion exchange conditions, and then the sample solution with the niobium concentration of max. 0.2% containing internal standard elements was injected from the sample loop of injection valve directly to introduce into ICP-MS. As a result, 52 impurity elements in three kinds of niobium materials could be determined at the ng g⁻¹ level.     

Separation and determination of traces of heavy metals complexed with humic substances in fresh waters by sorption on diethylaminoethyl-sephadex a-25

Copper(II), lead and cadmium complexed with humic and fulvic acids in filtered 1-l samples of fresh water are sorbed on a column containing 0.5 ml of the macroreticular weak-base anion exchanger, diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-25 at a flow rate of 20 ml min^?1. Simple metal cations are not sorbed at all. The sorbed trace metals are quantitatively desorbed with 4 M nitric acid batchwise and determined by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. For synthetic aqueous solutions containing traces of heavy metals and humic acid, the results are in conformity with those obtained by cationexchange separation. About 80% of the sorbed humic substances are eluted with 0.5 M sodium hydroxide solution from the A-25 column and its quantity is estimated spectrophotometrically at 400 nm.     

Determination of platinum and palladium in strongly acid solution by means of flow injection analysis

Microamounts of Pt(II/IV) (0.25–800 μg/ml) and Pd(II) (5–600 μg/ml) in> 0.5 M hydrochloric acid can readily be determined by means of a simple FIA method based on the selective reaction of tin(II)chloride with these metals. The FIA method has a high linear dynamic range, and is relatively free from interferences of many transition metals, with the exception of Au and Rh; small amounts of other PGMs can be tolerated. Determination of Pt on a hydrogenation catalyst by this method compares well with that found by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. By monitoring at two or more wavelengths, Pt and Pd can be determined in mixtures by this means, to yield a simple, cost-effective FIA method for possible on-line determinations and quality control of, in particular, Pt containing acidic refinery and other process streams.     

Methode d'elution selective pour l'extraction des metaux lourds de l'eau de mer sur resine chelatante: A selective method of elution for the extraction of heavy metals from sea waters on a chelating resin

A selective method of elution for the extraction of heavy metals from sea waters on a chelating resin.The extraction of heavy metals in sea water with Chelex 100 prior to their determination by atomic absorption spectrometry (a.a.s.) with electrothermal atomization is discussed. Maximum retention of heavy metals is not obtained with the resin in the H⁺ form, because it is gradually transformed in contact with sea water by the fixation of alkali and alkaline-earth cations which are eluted simultaneously with the heavy metals and interfere during a.a.s. The separation of heavy metals is quantitative on Chelex 100 in the Ca²⁺ form; treatment with dilute acetic acid (1 + 99) eliminates the alkali and alkaline-earth metals fixed on the resin before elution or the heavy metals. Elution with 1 M nitric acid gives simultaneous and quantitative recovery of Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cd and Co; intermediate elution with 0.01 M nitric acid isolates Zn, Cd and Co from Cu and Pb, which are subsequently eluted with 1 M nitric acid.     

Determination of silver in ores, concentrates, zinc process solutions, copper metal and copper-base alloys by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry after separation by extraction of the tribenzylamine-silver bromide complex

A method for determining 0.1 μg/g or more of silver in ores and concentrates and 0.001 μg/ml or more of silver in zinc process solutions is described. Silver is separated from the matrix elements by chloroform extraction of the tribenzylamine—silver bromide ion-association complex from 0.08M potassium bromide—2M sulphuric acid and stripped with 9M hydrobromic acid. This solution is evaporated to dryness and organic material is destroyed with nitric and perchloric acids. Silver is determined by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry in an air—acetylene flame, at 328.1 nm, in a 10% v/v hydrochloric acid—1% v/v diethylenetriamine medium. Cadmium, bismuth and molybdenum are partly co-extracted but do not interfere. The method is also applicable to copper metal and copper-base alloys. Results obtained by this method are compared with those obtained by a fire-assay/atomic-absorption method.     

Separation of yttrium and neodymium from samarium and the heavier lanthanides by cation-exchange chromatography with hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetate in monochloroacetate buffer

Trace and mg amounts of yttrium and neodymium are separated from samarium and the heavier lanthanides by elution of the latter with hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetate (HEDTA) in a chloroacetate buffer of pH 2.85 from a column containing 68 ml (20 g) of AG 50W-X4 resin of 200–400 mesh particle size. Yttrium and neodymium (and also praeseodymium, cerium and lanthanum) are retained and can be eluted with 0.01M HEDTA in 0.20M ammonium acetate (pH 6). The separations are reasonably sharp and quantitative: only 3–15 μg of samarium was found in the yttrium fraction and 0.8–3.4 μg of yttrium in the samarium fraction when 4.41 mg of yttrium and 7.12 mg of samarium were present originally. Control of the pH during the column operations is essential because the peak positions are very sensitive to change in pH. The relevant distribution coefficients, elution curves of pairs of elements and results for the analysis of synthetic mixtures are presented. Also included is a method for separating yttrium and the lanthanides from HEDTA and sodium and ammonium ions.     

Anion-exchange separation of beryllium, vanadium and other elements from large amounts of uranium

A method is described for the anion-exehange separation of small quantities of beryllium, vanadium, magnesium, calcium, aluminium, gallium and indium from gram-amounts of uranium. For this purpose, a medium consisting of 95 % methanol and 5% 5M nitric acid is passed through a resin bed of Dowex 1, X8. By subsequent washing of the resin with a methanol-nitric acid mixture of the same composition, these metal ions are preferentially eluted from the column, whereas uranium is still retained by the anion exchanger. In the eluates the elements are determined by means of spectrophotometric or titrimetric procedures.     

Determination of copper, nickel, zinc, cobalt and manganese in seawater by chelation ion chromatography

Preconcentration and determination of trace elements in seawater by chelation ion chromatography (CIC) was studied. For the retention of metal ions (0.25–0.30 M), ammonium acetate (at pH 4.8–5.1) and macroporous iminodiacetate chelating resin were used. This system (CIC) permits trace and ultra-trace determination of metals in a variety of complex matrices, in particular those with a high content of alkali and alkaline earth metals. Detection limits range from 0.1 to 0.5 ng. Satisfactory results are obtained in the range 0.05–0.5 μg/1 when 60 ml of sample are preconcentrated. In this work the contents of zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese in seawater from the Venice lagoon are presented. The results obtained by chelation ion chromatography are compared with those obtained using preconcentration of metals with dithizone and ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate in chloroform and analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.     

Quantitative separation of the alkali metals by cation-exchange chkomatography with bio-rex 40 resin : Application to silicate analysis

The application of BIO-REX 40, a phenolformaldehyde resin, to the quantitative separation of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs is described. All five elements can be separated in a single procedure by using a 25-g (62-ml) resin column and eluting lithium with 500 ml of 1.00 M hydrochloric acid in 80% ethanol, sodium with 500 ml of 0.20 M hydrochloric acid, potassium with 250 ml of 0.70 M hydrochloric acid, rubidium with another 450 ml of 0.70 M hydrochloric acid and cesium with 500 ml of 4.0 M hydrochloric acid. Procedures are described for the accurate determination of alkali metals in silicate minerals, plant material and water. Al, Fe, Ti, Zr, V, Mo and some other elements are first separated by absorption as oxalato complexes on a column of AG1-X8 resin. The alkali metals are finally determined by gravimetry or atomic absorption spectrometry. Tables of distribution coefficients and quantitative results of analyses of synthetic mixture and standard silicate samples are presented together with typical elution curves.     

Monitoring the effluents of the trichloroacetic acid process by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of small amounts of nitric acid and trichloroacetic acid in process effluents was developed. Acidic components of the effluents were separated on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column using 0.15 M ammonium sulphate as mobile phase and determined quantitatively by UV absorption at 210 nm. The detection limits for nitric acid and trichloroacetic acid were 1.4 and 10 μg/l, respectively.     

Separation of bismuth from lead, copper and other elements by means of anion exchange

The anion-exchange behaviour of bismuth and various other elements has been investigated in media consisting of methyl glycol and nitric acid. Through the determination of the distribution coefficients in such mixtures, a method for the anion-exchange separation of bismuth from many metal ions has been developed. A mixture of 90% methyl glycol and 10% 5M nitric acid is a suitable medium for this separation on the strongly-basic anion exchanger Dowex 1, X8. Only bismuth, thorium and lanthanum are strongly retained on the resin in these conditions. All other elements investigated, such as lead, copper, iron, etc., are either only weakly adsorbed or are not absorbed. By means of this ion-exchange procedure, a series of analyses of copper-base alloys for bismuth has been carried out. The results show that this method can be used successfully for the quantitative isolation of bismuth from such materials. The final determination of bismuth in the eluates is performed by complexometric titration.     

Determination of elements in paints and paint scrapings by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry using microwave assisted digestion

Summary Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICPAES) is applied to the determination of elements in paints and paint scrapings to evaluate potential occupational and environmental exposure to metals in paints. A microwave assisted digestion procedure of these materials using nitric and hydrofluoric acid mixtures under controlled pressure has been developed. The accuracy and repeatability of the recommended procedure for lead are documented and evaluated by analysing NIST SRM 1579 Powdered Lead Based Paint. Neutron activation analysis was applied as a reference method for other elements. A variety of industrial and domestic paints of different chemical composition were analysed. The advantages and limitations of microwave digestion of paints are discussed.     

Extraction chromatography with bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid for separation of tin(IV)

Tin is extracted from 0.01M hydrochloric acid on a silica-gel column impregnated with bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid, stripped with 5M hydrochloric acid, and then determined spectrophotometrically as its Pyrocatechol Violet complex at 555 nm. Tin has been separated from several multicomponent mixtures containing arsenic, antimony, bismuth, lead and copper, and determined in various alloys.     

Quantitative separation of beryllium from magnesium,calcium, aluminium,iron and other elements by cation-exchange chromatography in nitric acid-methanol

Beryllium is separated from Mg, Ca, Mn(II), Fe(III), Al, Co(II). Zn. U(VI), La and Gd by elution with 2.0 M nitric acid in 70 % methanol from a column of AG50W-X8 sulphonated polystyrene cation exchanger, while the other elements are retained quantitatively. Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, the other lanthanides, Zr, Hf, Th, Ga, In, Cd and Ni(II) should also be separated according to their distribution coefficients or elution behaviour. Separations are sharp and recoveries quantitative from millimolar amounts down to 10 μg of beryllium. The separation of Ti(IV) and Cu(II) from beryllium is not satisfactory and requires rather large columns. Bi(III), Pb(II), Hg(II) and the alkali metals are eluted together with beryllium, but can be separated by other methods. Typical elution curves and results for the quantitative separation of binary synthetic mixtures are presented.     

Improved separation of iron from copper and other elements by anion-exchange chromatography on a 4% cross-linked resin with high concentrations of hydrochloric acid

Iron(III) can be separated from copper(II) and many other elements by eluting these from a column of AG1-X4 anion-exchange resin with 8M hydrochloric acid, while iron(III) is retained and can be eluted with 0.1M hydrochloric acid. The separation is much better than the customary one with 3.5M hydrochloric acid. Columns containing only 8.8 ml (3 g) of resin can separate traces or up to more than 1 mmole of iron(III) from more than 1 g of copper. Mn(II), Ni, Al, Mg and Ca are quantitatively eluted together with copper(II). Lead, the alkali metals, Be, Sr, Ba, Ra, Sc, Y and the lanthanides, Ti(IV), Zr, Hf, Th and Cr(III) have not been investigated in detail but should be separated according to their known distribution coefficients. Separations are sharp and quantitative, less than 1 mug of copper remaining in the iron fraction when more than 1 g was present originally. Relevant elution curves and results of the quantitative analysis of synthetic mixtures are presented.     

Cation-exchange separations in organic solvent-dithizone media

Numerous elements can be adsorbed on a column of the strongly acidic cation-exchange resin Dowex 50 from a mixture consisting of tetrahydrofuran and 1 M nitric acid (19:1). These elements include Ag, Cu, Bi, Pb, rare earths, alkaline earth metals, alkali metals, U, Th, Fe, Co, Zn and Cd; Hg and Sb are not retained and so can be separated from the adsorbed elements. Fractionation of the adsorbed elements can be effected by using as eluent 0.01 M dithizone in tetrahydrofuran-1 M nitric acid(19:1);; the dithizonates of silver, copper and bismuth are selectively eluted while the other adsorbed metal ions are still retained. The technique is suitable for the separation of tracer and macro amounts of elements.     

Quantitative analysis of tylosin by column liquid chromatography

A column liquid chromatographic method suitable for the quality control of tylosin A is described. The determination can be carried out on different C₈ or C₁₈ columns, using a mobile phase containing acetonitrile, 0.2 M tetrabutylammonium hydrogensulphate, 0.2 M phosphoric acid and water. The flow-rate is 1 ml/min and detection is performed at 280 nm. The method shows good selectivity towards the major components tylosin A, B, C and D and demycinosyltylosin. Minor degradation products, mainly observed in solutions, are also separated. The compositions of several standards are compared and results for a number of commercial samples are presented.