Selective Fluorination and Separation of Metals with NF3 for Mass Spectrometry

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4392-y· OSTI ID:1243167

Clark, Richard A.; Barinaga, Charles J.; McNamara, Bruce K.; Schwantes, Jon M.; Ballou, Nathan E.

We report recent progress on the development of a new methodology based on the generation of volatile metal fluorides through the use of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), and the separation and measurement of these metal fluorides by electron ionization mass spectrometry. Though unreactive under ambient conditions, NF3 reacts selectively at specified temperatures with various metal-containing species to form volatile metal fluorides. Utilizing these species-dependent traits, elements of a sample may be sequentially produced and thus separated on-line. Metals were reacted inside a thermogravimetric analyzer, the gas outlet of which was directly coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electron impact ionization source via a molecular leak valve. We present results of this project including the electron ionization mass spectrum of gaseous tellurium hexafluoride.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1243167
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-109379
• Journal Information: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 307, Issue 3; ISSN 0236-5731
• Publisher: Springer
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Mass Spectrometry
Fluorination
Nitrogen Trifluoride
Nuclear Forensics