title: Radiochemical neutron-activation analysis of uncertified ultra-trace rare earth elements in two biological certified reference materials.
abstract: Radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) has been used for the determination of eight rare earth elements (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, and Lu) in two Chinese certified reference materials (CRM), GBW 08503 (wheat powder) and GBW 09101 (human hair). These determinations are important for possible certification of the above mentioned ultra-trace elements, so far not certified. A simple one-step (REE)F3 precipitation was used. Chemical yields were determined for all relevant elements by means of tracer experiments. The two CRM were also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to compare the merits and draw-backs of these two major trace analytical techniques for these particular elements. RNAA was proven to be a reliable technique for ultra-trace analysis, especially in the certification of some ultra-trace elements.
authors.affiliation: School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Nanhua University, Hengyang, PR China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Weizhi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Bangfa
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Pingsheng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yangmei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008674:Metals, Rare Earth / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis / Q000592:standards*; D011854:Radiochemistry; D012015:Reference Standards; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D014908:Triticum / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D008674:Metals, Rare Earth; D014131:Trace Elements