Table 1
Chosen features of ICP-MS and INAA used in elemental analysis of nuclear materials
| ICP-MS | INAA | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Good | Excellent |
| Sensitivity | High | High |
| Matrix effect | Yes | No |
| Time response | Low-medium | Low |
Table 2
Mean concentration of elements in ascorbic acid and silicone oil by ICP-MS and INAA (n = 3)
| Element | Ascorbic acid | Silicone oil | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICP-MS | NAA | ICP-MS | NAA | |
| U (ppb) | <5 | <250 | 152 | <250 |
| Mn (ppb) | 189 | n.d. | 1269 | n.d. |
| Co (ppb) | <50 | <50 | <50 | <50 |
| Cd (ppb) | <50 | n.d. | 1269 | n.d. |
| Th (ppb) | <5 | <100 | 1988 | 1780 |
| Cu (ppb) | <250 | n.d. | 1413 | n.d. |
| Pb (ppb) | 987 | n.d. | 1015 | n.d. |
| V (ppb) | <180 | n.d. | 205 | n.d. |
| Sb (ppb) | <200 | <150 | <200 | <150 |
| Se (ppb) | <500 | <100 | <500 | 72 |
| Al (ppm) | 17.9 | n.d. | 47.9 | n.d. |
| Cr (ppm) | <2.5 | <1 | <2.5 | 1.4 |
| Ni (ppm) | <0.5 | <2.5 | 2.5 | n.d. |
| Fe (ppm) | <1 | <0.5 | 186 | 150 |
| Zn (ppm) | 0.26 | 0.33 | 5.0 | 4.8 |
[i] n.d., not determined.
Fig. 1
LA stand with SiC (outer) and Zr (middle) spheres. Numbers allow positioning of the table in relation to the beam.
Fig. 2
Photo of a microsphere with spherical zirconia particle Φ = 1 mm after laser evaporation.
Fig. 3
Mass spectra of individual microsphere layers; LA-ICP-MS method: (A) C-12, (B) Si-28, and (C) Zr-90.
Table 3
Mean concentrations of elements as determined by NAA and LA ICP-MS in the analysed silicon carbide (n = 3) and pyrolytic graphite
| Element | NAA (ng/g) | LA-ICP-MS (ng/g) |
| Co | 678 | (950) |
| Eu | 42 | n.d. |
| Fe | 980 | (1390) |
| Hf | 648 | n.d. |
| Sc | 140 | n.d. |
| Element | NAA (ng/g) | LA-ICP-MS (ng/g) |
| Ag | 320 | (560) |
[i] n.d., not determined; (...) – semi quantitative, information results.