Abstract.
Radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) has been used for the determination of eight rare earth elements (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, and Lu) in two Chinese certified reference materials (CRM), GBW 08503 (wheat powder) and GBW 09101 (human hair). These determinations are important for possible certification of the above mentioned ultra-trace elements, so far not certified. A simple one-step (REE)F3 precipitation was used. Chemical yields were determined for all relevant elements by means of tracer experiments. The two CRM were also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) to compare the merits and drawbacks of these two major trace analytical techniques for these particular elements. RNAA was proven to be a reliable technique for ultra-trace analysis, especially in the certification of some ultra-trace elements.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cao, L., Tian, W., Ni, B. et al. Radiochemical neutron-activation analysis of uncertified ultra-trace rare earth elements in two biological certified reference materials. Anal Bioanal Chem 372, 397–400 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-001-1140-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-001-1140-7