Pt and Au analysis by delayed X-ray spectrometry after fast neutron activation

Abstract

A novel technique for the determination of Pt and Au at low concentrations is described. The method involves /K/ X-ray spectrometry preceded by fast neutron activation of the stable isotopes of the elements of interest. A full appraisal of the technique is presented for the analysis of small powdered samples. The sensitivity was optimized by employing a detector that was particularly effective at energies below 150 keV. The investigation formed the basis of a feasibility study which was utilized to establish if the application could be developed for the routine off-line determination of Pt and Au. We show that the method does not necessarily depend on the sample matrix, and that it proves to be a strong rival to conventional activation analysis.