title: Analysis of twenty five impurities in uranium matrix by ICP-MS with iron measurement optimized by using reaction collision cell, cold plasma or medium resolution.
abstract: An analytical procedure was developed to determine the concentration of 25 impurities (Li, Be, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, W, Pb, Bi and Th) in a uranium matrix using the quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS). The dissolution of U(3)O(8) powder was made with a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid. Then, a selective separation of uranium using the UTEVA column was used before measurement by Q-ICP-MS. The procedure developed was verified using the Certified Reference Material "Morille". The analytical results agree well except for 5 elements where values are underestimated (Li, Be, In, Pb and Bi). Among the list of impurities, iron was particularly investigated because it is well known that this element possesses a polyatomic interference that increases the detection limit. A comparison between iron detection limits obtained with different methods was performed. Iron polyatomic interference was at least reduced, or at best entirely resolved in some cases, by using the cold plasma or the collision/reaction cell with several gases (He, NH(3) and CH(4)). High-resolution ICP-MS was used to compare the results obtained. A detection limit as low as 8 ng L(-1) was achieved.
authors.affiliation: Analysis and Support to Facilities Laboratory, Department of Physics and Chemistry, Division for Nuclear Activities, CEA Saclay, DEN/DPC/SEARS/LASE, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quemet
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brennetot
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chevalier
authors.forename: Edwina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prian
authors.forename: Anne-Laure
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Laridon
authors.forename: Clarisse
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mariet
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fichet
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Laszak
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goutelard