Determination of ultratrace boron concentrations in uranium oxide by isotope dilution-thermal ionization mass spectrometry using a simplified separation procedure

• Published in: Mikrochimica acta (1966) Vol. 169; no. 3-4; pp. 227 - 231
• Main Authors: Rao, Radhika M, Parab, Ankush R, Bhushan, K. Sasi, Aggarwal, Suresh K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Vienna : Springer Vienna 01-06-2010; Springer Vienna; Springer
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Borates; boron; Carbonates; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Exact sciences and technology; Isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS); Mass spectrometry; Microengineering; Nanochemistry; Nanotechnology; Original Paper; Positive-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (P-TIMS); Radioactive substances; Solvent extraction; Spectrometric and optical methods; Uranium; Uranium oxide; Boron; Isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS); Positive-thermal ionization mass spectrometry (P-TIMS); Uranium oxide; Solvent extraction; Chemical enrichment; Salt; Thermal ionization; Sample preparation; Sodium carbonate; Sodium borates; Monitoring; Trace analysis; Diol; Chloroform; Ion source; Sample; Ultratrace compound; Isotope dilution; Concentration; Method; Dissolution; Nitric acid; Vaporization; Reproducibility; Mass spectrometry; Uranium isotopes
• ISSN: 0026-3672; 1436-5073
• DOI: 10.1007/s00604-010-0345-x

Boron was determined at sub-ppm levels in uranium oxide by ID-TIMS. Following nitric acid dissolution, a solvent extraction method was adapted for extraction of boron by 5% 2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol in chloroform followed by evaporation of the extractant in presence of sodium carbonate and mannitol. This procedure allowed TIMS analysis of boron by monitoring the Na₂BO ₂ ⁺ ions formed from the sodium borate salt in the ion source. Reproducibility of about 1% was obtained for boron determination in the three different uranium oxide samples containing sub-ppm amounts of boron.