Trace Elements and Isotopic Analysis of Some Rare Earth Elements by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Ion Chromatography

Abstract

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is widely accepted as a rapid and sensitive technique for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) analysis of liquid samples. ICP-MS is applied in this study for the analysis of Rare Earth Elements of the granite, allanite, and amphibolite samples. In addition to two certified reference materials (':j

namely: BCR-2 and AGV-2.

The analyses are carried out by two different techniques: I- The double Focusing ICP-MS (JMS- PlasmaX2) 2- Ion chromatograph (GBC) for. the separation and detection of rare earth elements in

geological samples.

Effective procedures are developed to avoid the spectral interference from matrix elements polyatomic ions on some rare earth elements in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) by using cation exchange resin AG50W-X8 and HPLC chromatography using Ion Pac CS5A column.

The used ion chromatograph (IC) instrument is GBC Gradient ion chromatograph in which eluant composition and flow rate are microprocessor controlled. The IC technique is shown to be capable of determining 12 !Jf the REEs in a wide variety of rock types. The eluted REEs were reacted with a color complexing agent and detected photometrically using UV/visible light detector at a wavelength of 530 nm. Also, REEs are separated from complicated matrix samples using AG50W-X8 cation exchange resin. REEs are retained and could then be eluted with 4 M HCI solution. The potential of the method is evaluated by analysis of Certified Reference Materials (AGV-2 and BCR-2). Results obtained by ICP-MS show that experimental data are in agreement with the certified values. The results obtained using two chromatographic methods are compared and discussed.