Substoichiometry in neutron activation analysis technique

Abstract

Neutron activation analysis has become one of the most sensitive and selective analytical technique for the determination of trace elements in a wide variety of matrices. Neutron activation involves the irradiation of the test sample and a standard of the element to be determined with thermal neutrons in a reactor, followed by dissolution of the test sample in the presence of carrier of the element to be determined. The carrier and radioisotopes are separated from the bulk of other induced activities (employing precipitation, solvent extraction, ion exchange etc.) and then the activity induced in the sample is measured on a suitable detector. The standard is treated identically. From the ratios of the activity of the sample and standard and the weight of the standard irradiated, the concentration of element in the test sample is calculated. A rapid, selective and sensitive method of radiochemical separation is subtoichiometric extraction in which the same amount of carrier is added to the irradiated test sample and standard. Exactly the same amount of reagent is added to both the sample and standard but in substoichiometric amounts, followed by the separation of the species formed by extracting it with an organic solvent. The activities of the extracts are measured. The amount of element present in the sample is calculated with help of the ratio of the activities and the weight of the standard taken. The advantages of the method are discussed. Application of substoichiometry in neutron activation has been elucidated with reference to the determination of Au in various samples by substoichiometric neutron activation analysis.