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Polyatomic interference removal using a collision reaction interface for plutonium determination in the femtogram range by quadrupole ICP-MS

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Abstract

This paper proposes a new method for accurately determining low-level 239Pu using quadrupole ICP-MS with collision reaction interface (CRI) technology. A helium CRI gas flow rate of 70 mL min−1 with a radiofrequency power of 1.4 kW was found to be suitable for the removal of the 238UH+ interference in order to accurately determine 239Pu. The optimum instrument conditions were applied to a quantitative analysis, which produced a 239Pu calibration with excellent linearity. The proposed method achieved 239Pu recoveries between 96-98 % and low detection limits of 0.15 fg mL−1.

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Acknowledgments

The author thanks XueDong Wang (Bruker) for sharing his knowledge and expertise in ICP-MS and Nick Scales (ANSTO) for the 239Pu alpha-spectrometry measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, New Illawarra Road, Lucas Heights, NSW, 2234, Australia

    Kylie P. Olufson

  2. Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, Division of Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia

    Grainne Moran

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  1. Kylie P. Olufson
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  2. Grainne Moran
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Correspondence to Kylie P. Olufson.

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Olufson, K.P., Moran, G. Polyatomic interference removal using a collision reaction interface for plutonium determination in the femtogram range by quadrupole ICP-MS. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 308, 639–647 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4483-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4483-9

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