Trace impurities analysis in UF4 via standard addition and 103Rh internal standardization techniques combined with ICP-MS

Abstract

In order to determine trace impurities in the nuclear grade UF4, an analysis method based on the standard addition and 103Rh internal standardization techniques combined with ICP-MS has been established. The examination tests, including comparison with the quantity of trace impurities assigned in a certified reference uranium oxide and determination of the standard addition recovery, were performed to validate the accuracy and precision of the method. Total 42 trace impurity elements from Li to Bi were determined, with the method detection limit for the 42 impurities were found in the range of 0.0004–0.072 μg g−1. The recoveries were varied from 92% to 111%, and the relative deviations for most of the impurity elements were less than 10%. The method has been verified to meet the requirements of quality control for the UF4 and will be used in the molten salt reactor.