Determination of Platinum‐Group Elements in Geological Samples by Isotope Dilution‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry Combined with Sulfide Fire Assay Preconcentration. Issue 1 (16th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ren, Minghao; Sun, Yali; Wang, Christina Yan; Sun, Shengling
• Is Part Of: Geostandards and geoanalytical research. Volume 40:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 83
• Publication Date: 2015-07-16
• Subjects: platinum‐group elements -- isotope dilution -- sulfide fire assay -- geological samples; éléments du groupe du platine -- dilution isotopique -- pyroanalyse de sulfure -- échantillons géologiques; Analytical geochemistry -- Periodicals; Géochimie analytique -- Périodiques; 551.9
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-908X.2015.00349.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1639-4488

Abstract

Abstract : A method was developed for the determination of platinum‐group elements (PGE) in geological samples by isotope dilution‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry combined with sulfide fire assay preconcentration. Samples were fused and PGE analytes were concentrated in sulfide buttons. The buttons were dissolved using HCl leaving PGE analytes in insoluble residues, which were digested in HNO3 and simultaneously processed for the distillation of Os. The remaining solutions were further prepared for the purification of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt using a tandem assembly of cation and Ln resin columns. The eluents were directly analysed by membrane desolvation‐ICP‐MS. Ruthenium, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt were determined by isotope dilution, whereas Rh was determined by conventional reference material calibration combined with 193 Ir as the internal standard element. The method was validated using a series of PGE reference materials, and the measurement data were consistent with the recommended and the literature values. The measurement precision was better than 10% RSD. The procedural blanks were 0.121 ng for Ru, 0.204 for Rh, 0.960 ng for Pd, 0.111 ng for Os, 0.045 ng for Ir and 0.661 ng for Pt, and the limits of detection (3 s ) were 0.011 ng g −1 for Ru, 0.008 ng g −1 for Rh, 0.045 ng g −1 for Pd, 0.009 ng g −1 for Os, 0.006 ng g −1 for Ir and 0.016 ng g −1 for Pt when a test portion mass of 10 g was used. This indicates that the proposed method can be used for the determination of trace amounts of PGE in geological samples.