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Use of low-abundant isotopes in reactor neutron activation analysis: implications, questions, and tentative answers

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Abstract

In the light of the values recommended by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry for the isotopic composition of the elements, the feasibility of using low abundant isotopes to determine some elements by reactor neutron activation analysis is discussed. The characteristics of the tables informing the pertinent data are described. In particular, the possibilities of determining sulphur, calcium, iron, nickel, selenium, strontium, tin, barium, gadolinium, ytterbium, mercury and uranium are revised. Some reflections on the situation of the analyst, as user of the literature data, are formulated.

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Acknowledgement

The author wishes to thank Eduardo Montoya for his valuable suggestions.

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  1. Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Facultad Regional Buenos Aires, and Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnologías Químicas, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Medrano 951, C1179AAQ, C.A.B.A., República Argentina

    Isaac Marcos Cohen

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Correspondence to Isaac Marcos Cohen.

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Cohen, I.M. Use of low-abundant isotopes in reactor neutron activation analysis: implications, questions, and tentative answers. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 312, 29–36 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5189-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5189-y

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