Carrier distillation-ICAP approach for trace metal assay of U3O8 powder

Abstract

A new approach for the trace metal assay of U3O8 powder has been described. The carrier distillation technique used for selective volatilization of trace metals in U3O8 with d.c. arc excitation is adapted for the release of analytes from the solid sample into the ICAP source by inductively heating the sample. The experimental parameters have been optimised for the direct determination of Cd, Cu, K, Na, Ni and Pb. The performance of the method developed here is tested for the precision and accuracy of determinations by analysing spiked U3O8 samples and NBL U3O8 reference standards (standard deviation 2–9%). The method appears promising to be developed as a highly precise analytical optical emission spectrometric method as it adds to the ingenuity of the carrier distillation method, the advantages of ICAP.