A simple method for determining Hf in Zr and Zr alloys by ICP-AES

A simple method for determining Hf in Zr and Zr alloys by ICP-AES 1 corresp first-author Corresponding author. E-mail address: mhdnabi@yahoo.com Corresponding author. E-mail address: mhdnabi@yahoo.com mhdnabi@yahoo.com 2 Fuel Manufacturing Plan (FMP), Isfahan, Iran Fuel Manufacturing Plan (FMP), Isfahan, Iran Uranium Conversion Facilities (UCF), Isfahan, Iran Uranium Conversion Facilities (UCF), Isfahan, Iran This paper describes a rapid, accurate and precise method for determination of trace hafnium (Hf) in zirconium and zirconium alloys by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). It was found that using a mixture of sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) and ammonium sulfate (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , the total sample dissolution time was 15 min. Experimental works revealed that a high Zr concentration would result in a significant decrease in the peak height of the analyte lines, which was corrected by standard addition method. The performance of the developed method was evaluated by calculating the recovery percent and using standard reference material analysis. The recoveries were in the range of 97.6%–99.5% and the relative standard deviations were within 0.8%–3.0%. The detection limit (3 σ ) of Hf was found to be 0.01 µg·g −1 , respectively. The proposed technique, with high precision and accuracy, was applied to the analysis of trace Hf in zirconium-niobium ingots and tubes for the first time in Iran. Zirconium Zirconium alloys Hafnium ICP-AES Fuel assembly References Yau T L . ASM International, Materials Park , 1992 , 754 - 780 . ASM International, Materials Park Cohen P . American Nucl Soc, La Grange Park , 1980 , 35 : 561 - 567 . American Nucl Soc, La Grange Park Bodansky D . Nuclear Energy: Principles, Practices and Prospects , New York : AIP Press , 1996 , 235 - 240 . Nuclear Energy: Principles, Practices and Prospects Cox B . Advances in corrosion science and technology . New York : Plenum Press , 1976 , 156 - 159 . Advances in corrosion science and technology Choo K N , Kang Y H , Pyun S I , et al . J Nucl Mater , 1994 , 209 : 226 - 232 . J Nucl Mater Deorkar N V , Khopkar S M . Analytica Chimica Acta , 1991 , 245 : 27 - 33 . Analytica Chimica Acta Abbaspour A , Baramakeh L . Spectrochimica Acta Part A , 2006 , 64 : 477 - 482 . Spectrochimica Acta Part A Annual Book of ASTM Standards, E 1552 , 2002, 03.05 . Japanese Industrial Standard, H 1667 , 1986 . Shariati S , Yamini Y , J Colloid Interface Sci , 2006 , 298 : 419 - 425 . J Colloid Interface Sci Luo S K , Chang F C . Spectrochim Acta Part B , 1990 , 45 : 527 - 535 . Spectrochim Acta Part B Kall H L . ASTM Standard, E-2 SM 8-12 , 1983 . Kall H L . ASTM Suggested Method for Spectrochemical Analysis of Zirconium by the Silver Chloride Carrier DC Arc Technique, E-2 SM 8-13 . ASTM Suggested Method for Spectrochemical Analysis of Zirconium by the Silver Chloride Carrier DC Arc Technique, E-2 SM 8-13 Zamora P P , Ponce C L , Bueno M I M S , et al . Talanta , 1997 , 44 : 811 - 816 . Talanta Acharya R , Nair A G C , Reddy A V R , et al . J. of Nuclear Materials , 2004 , 326 : 80 - 85 . J. of Nuclear Materials Ma X , Li Y . Anal Chim Acta , 2006 , 150 : 580 - 589 . Anal Chim Acta Steffan I , Vujicic G . J Anal At Spectros , 1994 , 9 : 785 - 789 . J Anal At Spectros Panday V K , Becker J S , Dietze H J . At Spectros , 1995 , 97 : 453 - 457 . At Spectros Shekhar R , Arunachalam J , Krishna G. R , et al . J Nucl Mater , 2005 , 340 : 284 - 290 . J Nucl Mater Easterday C L . Anal Chem , 1959 , 31 : 1867 - 1873 . Anal Chem Gordon N E , Jacobs R M . Anal Chem , 1953 , 25 : 1605 - 1611 . Anal Chem 10.13538/j.1001-8042/nst.20.340-343 2009-03-18 2009-12-20 2021-01-19 2009 Nuclear Science and Techniques 06 20