VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4, April 2023

Abstract :- Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) is multi elemental, rapid, simple technique for the determination of trace level analytes, but suffers from spectral interference of matrix elements like U, Pu, Zr, Th etc. originating from their line rich emission spectra causing detrimental effect on the determination of analyte elements at trace levels in the nuclear materials. This can be overcome by using carrier distillation technique wherein carrier selectively distills analytes into D.C. arc-AES leaving behind the matrix into the electrode crater, being physical separation of the matrix. This technique is generally used to determine common metallic elements. For the determination of rare earth elements being refractory in nature like U, Th, etc. at sub-ppm levels, carrier distillation technique cannot be used. Hence, chemical separation of the matrix followed by their determination by AES technique is the usual practice, which may involve contamination of the sample during pretreatment. Charged Coupled Detector (CCD) with flexibility of the choices of additional analytical lines of analytes, e.g., for Ce, 413.38 nm, 413.765 nm, 418.66 nm and 448.691 nm lines were selected and studied which may have lesser interference from Zr, facilitating direct determination of analytes at trace levels without any type of separation. Present paper involves the detailed study of spectral interference of zirconium on different analytical lines of Ba, Bi, Ce, Er, La, Lu, Mo, Nd, Pr, Sb, Sc, Ti, Tl, U, W, Y, Yb to select suitable analytical lines based on contributions of Zr on each analytical line, detection limits and sensitivity. Zirconium being major matrix, it’s determination by ICP-AES was performed by identifying four suitable analytical lines, namely, 339.198 nm, 343.823 nm, 257.139 nm and 272.262 nm including monitoring of sensitivity, detection limits etc. Based on these interference studies, it is possible to determine 17 analytes under investigations in Zr matrix on ppm basis by ICPAES using their appropriate analytical lines without any chemical/physical separ

Author :- Vijayalaxmi C. Adya
Email:- vcadya@rediffmail.com

DOI :      https://doi.org/10.59143/isas.jisas.1.4.HKTW9530

           Pages :- 73-91