Radiochemical multielement neutron activation analysis of niobium via medium- and long-lived radionuclides

Two radiochemical neutron activation analysis techniques capable for the determination of Ag, Au, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hf, Ir, K, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pd, Pt, Rb, Sc, Se, Ta, Th, Sn, W, Zn, and Zr in niobium via medium- and long-lived indicator radionuclides were developed. They involve two different irradiation and cooling times as well as two different group separation schemes based on extraction and ion exchange. The achievable limits of detection are between 10⁻⁷ g/g and 10⁻¹³ g/g. The techniques were applied to analysis of niobium of different purity grades. For a number of elements, the results of these techniques are compared with those of other techniques. This work was supported by Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie, Bonn.