Thermal neutron activation: Sample preparation utilizing graphite as a diluent

A sample preparation method has been developed which produces both standard and unknown samples of the same size, shape, composition and density (a necessary condition for minimum error). A solution of standard or unknown material was pipetted onto graphite wetted with acetone, the material was dried and mixed with additional graphite to give a homogeneous mixture containing≥99% graphite. Portions of the mixture were pressed into uniform cylindrical pellets. Application of the method to the activation analysis of several copper compounds gave results which generally agreed with analysis by thiosulfate titration of liberated iodine to within less than 1%. This work was supported by the United States Atomic Energy Commission.