True detection limit of rare earth elements in atomic emission analysis with an arc two-jet plasmatron

The “true detection limit” C_L,true was measured by a method proposed by Boumans et al. for 10 prominent lines of La, Ce, Pr, Nd and Sm, the most abundant rare earth elements (REEs) in geological samples. It is demonstrated how spectral interferences can increase of C_L,true. The spectra were excited in an argon arc plasma jet with evaporation powders of five complex natural samples. The data show that there is a significant increase of C_L,true in real samples containing large concentrations of such elements as Ti, Zr, Cr, Nb, Ta and REEs emitting complex spectra. Received: 17 June 1997 / Revised: 20 October 1997 / Accepted: 26 October 1997     

Elimination of the spectral interference from polyatomic ions with rare earth elements in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry by combining algebraic correction with chromatographic separation

A simple and effective procedure is developed to avoid the spectral interference from light rare earth elements (REEs) and barium polyatomic ions on some rare earth elements in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) by combining algebraic correction with AG50W-×8 cation exchangeable chromatography. Algebraic correction is made to reduce the spectroscopic overlap interference of ¹⁴¹Pr¹⁶O and ¹⁴³Nd¹⁶O on ¹⁵⁷Gd and ¹⁵⁹Tb. The spectroscopic overlap interference of BaO⁺ and BaOH⁺ on some middle REEs are overcome by separation of REEs from barium with AG50W-×8 cation exchangeable chromatography. Prior to the determination, REEs are separated from complicated matrix samples using AG50W-×8 cation exchangeable resin. Ba is eluted with 2 mol/l HNO₃ solution. REEs are retained and could then be eluted with 5 mol/l HNO₃ solution. Recoveries for REEs are from 96 to 110%. More than 99.5% of Ba in the sample is removed, ensuring that the spectral interference from barium polyatomic ions on some middle REEs such as Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd are eliminated. The potential of the proposed method is evaluated by analysis of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). Results show that experimental data are in good agreement with the certified values. The new technique has been successfully employed for the determination of REEs in practical soil and plant samples.     

Development of the FTIR properties of nano-structure silica gel doped with different rare earth elements,prepared by sol-gel route

Structural characteristics of pure silica gel (silica-xerogel, SiO₂) and silica gel doped with some rare earth elements (REEs) such as, praseodymium Pr³⁺, and Europium Eu³⁺, Erbium Er³⁺ and Holmium Ho³⁺ ions, with different concentrations ranging from 1 up to 6%, in the form of monolith materials were prepared by sol-gel technique, Using tetra-ethoxysilane as precursor materials, which are of particular interest for sol-gel integrated optics applications. Some structural features of sol-gel derived monolith are analyzed, namely the structure of nano-particle momolith samples, based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). We show that the XRD spectra of α-crystobalite are obtained for the pure samples at 1100°C and even by doping with the four REEs ions.     

Preconcentration and determination of rare-earth elements in iron-rich water samples by extraction chromatography and plasma source mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

A 100-fold preconcentration procedure based on rare-earth elements (REEs) separation from water samples with an extraction chromatographic column has been developed. The separation of REEs from matrix elements (mainly Fe, alkaline and alkaline-earth elements) in water samples was performed loading the samples, previously acidified to pH 2.0 with HNO₃, in a 2 ml column preconditioned with 20 ml 0.01 M HNO₃. Subsequently, REEs were quantitatively eluted with 20 ml 7 M HNO₃. This solution was evaporated to dryness and the final residue was dissolved in 10 ml 2% HNO₃ containing 1 μg l⁻¹ of cesium used as internal standard. The solution was directly analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), using ultrasonic nebulization, obtaining quantification limits ranging from 0.05 to 0.10 ng l⁻¹. The proposed method has been applied to granitic waters running through fracture fillings coated by iron and manganese oxy-hydroxides in the area of the Ratones (Cáceres, Spain) old uranium mine.     

Electrical and optical properties of inorganic complexes C36H76N2O9ClNa and C14H12N2O4TeBr2

The electrical properties of some inorganic samples were studied as functions of temperature and the results were analyzed. These samples activation energies were calculated from the electrical conductivity measurements. Also, a detailed study of optical absorption is presented. The optical absorption spectra are measured in the UV+invisible wavelength range 200–1100 nm. The absorption coefficient and value optical energy gaps were determined from the absorption spectra. The complex C₃₆H₇₆N₂O₉ClNa is characterized by direct optical absorption with an optical edge at 4.49 eV. However, the complex C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₄TeBr₂ is characterized by indirect optical absorption with an optical edge at 1.45 eV, and a nearby direct one at hν=1.80 eV.     

Determination of trace rare earth elements by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry after preconcentration with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

A new method has been developed for the determination of trace rare earth elements (REEs) in water samples based on preconcentration with a microcolumn packed with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) prior to their determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The optimum experimental parameters for preconcentration of REEs, such as pH of the sample, sample flow rate and volume, elution solution and interfering ions, have been investigated. The studied REEs ions can be quantitatively retained by MWNTs when the pH exceed 3.0, and then eluted completely with 1.0 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃. The detection limits of this method for REEs was between 3 and 57 ng L⁻¹, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) for the determination of REEs at 10 ng mL⁻¹ level were found to be less than 6% when processing 100 mL sample solution. The method was validated using a certified reference material, and has been successfully applied for the determination of trace rare earth elements in lake water and synthetic seawater with satisfactory results.     

High-resolution spectra of selected rare earth elements and spectral interferences studied by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES)

The rare earth elements (REEs) play very important roles in industrial manufacturing, technology development and biological processes. Due to their complex emission spectra, trace levels of REEs are difficult to analyze by conventional ICP-AES techniques. The present study investigates possible spectral interferences of matrices (rare earth oxides of Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm and Dy) on the analytical lines (± 0.1 nm) of a target REE. Detailed and well-resolved spectra for selected REEs are presented, and procedures used to rectify the problem of spectral interferences caused by REE matrices are discussed. A computer-assisted system (CAS) for spectral recognition has been developed and used to assist in the study of matrix interference. To determine directly trace rare earth elements in REE matrices without sample pre-separation, the application potential is demonstrated with a one meter sequential instrument retrofitted with a 3600 grooves/mm grating.     

Direct determination of rare earth impurities in high purity erbium oxide dissolved in nitric acid by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A novel method was developed for the direct determination of trace quantities of rare earth elements (REEs) in high purity erbium oxide dissolved in nitric acid by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in this work. The mass spectra overlap interferences arose from Er matrix on the neighbouring and monoisotopic analytes of ¹⁶⁵Ho(100) and ¹⁶⁹Tm(100) were eliminated by adjusting instrumental peak resolution value from 0.7 to 0.3 amu. The matrix suppression effect of Er on the ion peak signals of REEs impurities was effectively compensated with spiking In as internal standard element. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) of REEs impurities was from 0.0090 to 0.025 μg g⁻¹, the recoveries of spiked sample for REEs were found to be in the range of 90.3-107% through using the proposed method and relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) varied between 2.5% and 6.7%. The novel methodology had been found to be suitable for the direct determination of trace REEs impurities in 99.999-99.9999% high purity Er₂O₃ and the results obtained from this method keep in good agreement with that acquired from high resolution ICP-MS.     

Determination of rare earth elements in Taiwan monazite by chemical neutron activation analysis

Taiwan monazite is a unique mineral obtained from the heavy sand found in the river floor of Tzuo-suei river and En-suei river. Both rivers are flowing parallel with separated narrow area into the sea at southwestern coast of Taiwan. The characteristic of monazite is that it contains considerable rare earth elements (REEs). REEs are considered very useful elements in the local industries and scientific researches such as ceramic, semiconductors, and glass optics. In this study, chemical neutron activation analysis (CNAA) was used to determine the contents of REEs in Taiwan monazite. A few milligram of monazite was digested in the microwave oven for 25 minutes with mixed acid (conc. HNO₃ and HClO₄). REEs were preconcentrated by hydrated magnesium oxide and CNAA was performed.     

Air-Stable Cobalt(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes with Schiff Base Ligand for Catalyzing Suzuki–Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reaction

The Co(II) complex [Co{C₆H₄–1,2-(N=CH–C₆H₄O)₂}] (I) and Ni(II) complex [Ni{C₆H₄–1,2-(N=CH–C₆H₄O)2}] (II) with Schiff base of o-phenylenediamine and salicylaldehyde have been synthesized. The structure of the ligand and its complexes were derived on the basis of various techniques such as elemental analysis, mass, FT-IR, electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility. From the Singal crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis techniques (CIF file CCDC no. 1498772 (II)), it has been confirmed that the Schiff base ligand (L), coordinates to the metal ion in a tetradentate fashion through the nitrogen and oxygen atom. In addition, the square planar geometry of Ni(II) complex also has been confirmed from SCXRD. Electronic spectra, mass spectra, and magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal square planar geometry for the Co(II) complex. Synthesized complexes were used in cross-coupling of arylhalides with phenylboronic acid. The transformation offers products in good yields using 0.02 mmol catalysts loading, thereby proving the efficiency of the complexes as catalysts for Suzuki–Miyaura reaction.     

Determination of rare-earth elements by high-performance liquid chromatography/inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry

Liquid chromatography coupled on-line to a sequential ICP/AES system is applied for the determination of 14 rare-earth elements (REEs) in samples with widely different concentrations of REEs and matrix elements. The REEs are separated on a cation-exchanger by applying an α- hydroxyisobutyric acid gradient. The determination limits were the same as those obtained by continuous nebulization of single-element standard solutions. The chromatographic separation precludes mutual spectral interferences between the REEs. The practical value of the method developed is demonstrated by the determination of REE impurities in Specpure rare-earth oxides, by its demonstrated potential to evaluate real spectral interferences, and by the analysis of geological samples (natural phosphates) with relatively low total REE contents. The detection limits of REEs in these natural phosphates ranged between 0.005 and 0.4 μg g^?1.     

AG50W-x8树脂分离去除钡的多原子离子对电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定稀土元素的质谱干扰

采用AG50W－x8阳离子交换树脂,以HNO3作为梯度淋洗剂,可有效地分离Ba和稀土元素,实验表明：以2mol/L HNO3淋洗时,99．5％的Ba被分离去除;以5mol/L HNO3淋洗时,稀土的回收率在96－110％之间。标准参考物质的分析结果显示测定值与标准值十分接近,表明AG50W－x8阳离子交换树脂分离可有效地去除Ba元素的多原子离子（BaO^ ,BaOH^ )对ICP－MS法测定稀土元素测定的质谱干扰,该方法准确,可靠。同时,为准确测定Eu提供了一条新的途径。     

Crystal structure,interaction with DNA,and bovine serum albumin of the cobalt(II) complex of demethylcantharate and 2,2′-bipyridine

A new cobalt(II) complex [Co(DCA)(bipy)(H₂O)] (DCA?=?demethylcantharate, 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylate, C₈H₈O₅; bipy?=?2,2′-bipyridine, C₁₀H₈N₂) was synthesized from cobalt acetate, demethylcantharidin, and bipy. This complex was characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, infrared spectra, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. It crystallized in orthorhombic crystal system and Pbca space group. The DNA binding of the complex was investigated by electronic absorption spectra and viscosity measurements. The complex binds to DNA via partial intercalation with binding constant K _b of 4.02?×?10⁴?L?M^?1. The complex could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of bovine serum albumin through static quenching. The binding constant K _A was 7.28?×?10⁶?L?M^?1 and binding site was one.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定农产品土壤中痕量稀土元素

建立了电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）测定农产品土壤中15个稀土元素的分析方法．研究了溶样体系用量、标准溶液配制、质谱干扰、内标元素的选择．采用HNO3-HF—H2O2体系电热板溶解样品,稀土元素的溶出率较高．用ICP—MS同时测定土壤中的钇、镧、铈、镨、钕、钐、铕、钆、铽、镝、钬、铒、铥、镱、镥．以Rh、Re双内标在线校正,有效地降低了信号漂移对分析结果的影响．方法检出限为0．0012—0．0071ng／mL．对实际样品进行连续7次测定,方法精密度为0．2％～4．7％,回收率为97％-114％．经国家标准物质验证,结果与标准值相符．方法弥补了微波消解法的不足,且快速、准确,适合于大批量土壤样品分析．     

ESR spectra studies of Cu(Ⅱ) 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde tyrosine complex

A novel Schiff base derived from 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde and tyrosine and its copper(Ⅱ)complex have been synthesized and characterized.The composition of the complex is K[CuL] H2O,where L=H11C16NO5.ESR spectra of the copper(Ⅱ)complex were investigated at different temperatures and in various solvents.The second order effect and the relaxation effect were observed in the solution spectrum at room temperature,which was satisfactorily explained by spin Hamiltonian.The bonding parameters of copper(Ⅱ)complex were calculated using spectral parameters from ESR spectra at low temperature.Its bonding characterization and stability were disscussed.The result shows that the in-plane a-bond and the in-plane π-bond in the complex all play an important role.     

Assessment of bioaccumulation of REEs by plant species in a mining area by INAA

Native plant species, lichens and tailings, sampled from a copper?Csulphide mining area located in southern?Ceastern Portugal, were analysed by neutron activation analysis (INAA) for determination of rare earth elements (REEs). Values of ??REEs and individual REEs concentration of tailing samples are higher than those of natural background concentrations. The higher values of REEs are found in modern slags and the mixture of oxidized gossan and sulphide disseminated country rocks when compared with the alluvial sediments contaminated by mine tailings. The total concentrations of light REEs are higher than those of heavy REEs in all tailing samples. Distribution patterns of PAAS-normalized REEs in mine tailings show slightly LREE enriched and flat HREE pattern with negative Eu anomaly. Lichens accumulated higher concentration of lanthanides than vascular plants. The elevated levels of REEs in lichen, native plant species and tailing samples reflect the contamination of REEs in S?o Domingos mining area. The Carlina corymbosa, Erica australis and Lavandula luisierra accumulated the higher amounts of La, Ce and other REEs than the other plant species grown in this mining area.     

Synthesis and characterization of copper and nickel complexes of LIX63 oxime

Several complexes of 5,8-diethyl-7-hydroxy-6-dodecanone oxime [H₂L] with Cu(II) and Ni(II) have been synthesized and characterized by means of a number of techniques including elemental analysis, IR spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, electronic absorption spectra, NMR spectra, and mass spectra. The results indicate that Cu(II) and Ni(II) generally form analogous, isomorphous complexes, although no bis-[H₂L] complex with Cu(II) has been isolated. [Cu(L)]_n and [Ni(L)]_n are oligomeric complexes with pseudo-octahedral geometry. [Ni(HL)₂] is cis-square-planar (C_2ν) with bifurcated hydrogen bridges. [Ni(H₂L)₃SO₄] and [Cu(H₂L)₃SO₄] have octahedral symmetry in which the sulphate is coordinated as a unidentate ligand and the oxime is functioning as a neutral ligand.     

ICP-MS Measurement of Trace and Rare Earth Elements in Beach Placer-Deposit Soils of Odisha,East Coast of India,to Estimate Natural Enhancement of Elements in the Environment

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been used to measure the concentration of trace and rare earth elements (REEs) in soils. Geochemical certified reference materials such as JLk-1, JB-1, and JB-3 were used for the validation of the analytical method. The measured values were in good agreement with the certified values for all the elements and were within 10% analytical error. Beach placer deposits of soils mainly from Odisha, on the east coast of India, have been selected to study selected trace and rare earth elements (REEs), to estimate enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I_geo) in the natural environment. Enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I_geo) results showed that Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Y, Zr, Cd and U were significantly enriched, and Th was extremely enriched. The total content of REEs (ƩREEs) ranged from 101.3 to 12,911.3 µg g⁻¹, with an average 2431.1 µg g⁻¹ which was higher than the average crustal value of ΣREEs. A high concentration of Th and light REEs were strongly correlated, which confirmed soil enrichment with monazite minerals. High ratios of light REEs (LREEs)/heavy REEs (HREEs) with a strong negative Eu anomaly revealed a felsic origin. The comparison of the chondrite normalized REE patterns of soil with hinterland rocks such as granite, charnockite, khondalite and migmatite suggested that enhancement of trace and REEs are of natural origin.     

Soils of Sao Domingos mine: REE chemical characterization

This work addresses the chemical features of topsoils from São Domingos mine, Portugal, an abandoned mining area since middle of twentieth century. The fractions below 1 mm of the surface-soil samples (0–15 cm) were measured by k₀-standardized, instrumental neutron activation analysis in order to determine the levels of rare earth element concentrations in comparison to control soils. A fractionation between the heavy and light rare-earth elements (REEs) occurred, with the latter enriched relatively to the first ones. The REEs pattern is similar in all sites with higher concentrations in the mine area as compared to the control site. The ratios between REEs are conventional for three subsamples but slightly diverge for the other sites. The REEs pattern is similar to one of the volcanic islands still with activity as Sao Miguel in Azores, Portugal, and similar to the one of an industrial area containing coal power plant and refinery.     

Cation-exchange isolation and ICP-AES determination of rare earth elements in geological silicate materials

An ion-exchange ICP-AES method for the determination of 14 rare earth elements (REEs) and Y in geological materials is described. The separation of REEs from Ba using a Dowex 50W-X8 cation resin is especially considered since Ba is an excellent internal standard for REE determination by this technique. Although total recovery with either HCl or HNO₃ may be achieved, it is advantageous to use both acids sequentially. Volume and concentration of the acids are optimized attaining a quantitative separation of REEs from Ba by the introduction of the sample solution in a 1.75 mol/l HCl medium, followed by elution with 2 mol/l HNO₃ to remove matrix elements and with 7 mol/l HNO₃ to elute the analytes. The total elution volume is significantly reduced without decreasing the efficiency. The behaviour of the matrix constituents under the selected conditions is also studied, evaluating their elution percentages in each step. The final solution obtained contains only the REEs and Y, with the bulk of Sc and minor amounts of Cr, Fe, Hf and Ta. Experimental data for 5 geological reference standards (NIM-G, GSP-1, AGV-1, NIM-L and NIM-S) are reported. Good agreement between the present results and previously accepted values by various analytical techniques is observed.