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Isotopic uranium determination by ICP-AES: Coventional and laser ablation sample introduction

Conference ·
OSTI ID:466501
; ;  [1]
  1. Argonne National Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

The use of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) for the determination of {sup 235}U/{sup 238}U isotopic ratios in uranium:zirconium metal alloys (90% m/m U, 10% m/m Zr) is described. Conventional pneumatic nebulization and laser ablation sample introduction techniques were utilized. The results of the determination agreed, within experimental uncertainty, with isotopic ratios determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), e.g., conventional nebulization {sup 235}U/{sup 238}U = 2.091 {+-} 0.006, laser ablation {sup 235}U/{sup 238}U = 2.092 {+-} 0.015, TIMS {sup 235}U/{sup 238}U = 2.094 {+-} 0.004. The precision of the sequential determination of the intensities of the {sup 235}U and {sup 238}U components of the U emission line and the resultant isotopic ratios were improved significantly by the use of an intrinsic internal standard (Zr), e.g. RSD = 1.6 % to RSD = 0.17%.

OSTI ID:
466501
Report Number(s):
CONF-951017--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English