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Determination of rare earth elements in uranium ores by ICP-MS after total dissolution with NH4F and matrix separation with TRU resin

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Abstract

The paper describes a novel total dissolution method of uranium ores with ammonium fluoride (NH4F), combined with matrix separation with TRU resin, which allowed the accurate measurement of rare earth elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The recommended amount of NH4F and conditions of separation were discussed. Rock standard reference materials and actual uranium ores were analyzed to further demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. These findings indicate the potential for using this new method in nuclear forensic science.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Department of Radiochemistry of the China Institute of Atomic Energy for support of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiochemistry, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China

    Huan He, Xinghong Zhao, Yan Zhang, Lifei Zhao, Ruixuan Hu & Lili Li

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  1. Huan He
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  2. Xinghong Zhao
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  3. Yan Zhang
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  4. Lifei Zhao
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Correspondence to Lili Li.

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He, H., Zhao, X., Zhang, Y. et al. Determination of rare earth elements in uranium ores by ICP-MS after total dissolution with NH4F and matrix separation with TRU resin. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 1909–1916 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-08863-y

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