Determination of trace elements in high purity gold by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

Trace elements were determined in high purity gold by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS). Sample were decomposed by aqua regia. To overcome some potentially problematic spectral interference, measurements were acquired in both medium and high resolution modes. The matrix effects due to the presence of excessive HCl and Au were evaluated. The optimum conditions for the determination was tested and discussed. The standard addition method was employed for quantitative analysis. The detection limits range from 0.01μg/g to 0.28μg/g depending on the elements. The method is accurate, quick and convenient. It has been applied to the determination of trace elements in high purity gold with satisfactory results.

Atomic spectrometry update. Industrial analysis: metals, chemicals and advanced materials

“…two different scanner speeds (0.25 and 1.5 mm s À1 ), five laser repetition rates (ranging from 0.1 kHz to 10 kHz) and three fluence values (5, 14 and 25 J cm À2 ) were studied. The isotope ratios of 238 U/ 232 Th, 208 Pb/ 238 U and 66 Zn/ 65 Cu of the aerosols produced by the LA process under the different operating conditions described above were then evaluated. Although no heating zones or preferential evaporation were observed for any of the repetition rates, it was noted that particle size fractionation did occur.…”

Determination of trace elements in refined gold samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

“…2,3 Atomic absorption spectrophotometry with a graphite furnace (ETAAS) or flame (FAAS) was used for the determinations of some elements in pure gold during 1990s. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] In the last few years, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP--AES) 12,13 and especially inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP--MS) [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (laser ablation-ICP-MS) 22 have been extensively applied. Electrochemical techniques were also used for the determination of some trace elements in pure gold, in particular, stripping voltammetry was used for the determination of arsenic(III) and silver.…”