Elemental Analysis
At INE a wide experience in chemical and radiochemical analytical methods is available. For the main tasks of the INE analytical group see radiochemical analysis.
New ways in element and isotope analysis for actinide speciation by high resolution sector field mass spectrometry adapted at a glove box
Element and isotope analysis by high resolution sector field mass spectroscopy (SF-ICP-MS, type Element XR) is now available at INE. Improved detection limits (down to the sub-ppq range) and high mass resolution allow for extremely precise determination of actinides or long-lived fission products at very low concentrations. This analytical tool is applied for the analysis of natural samples (e.g., groundwater or surface water) and ambitious lab experiments. By coupling of methods multi-dimensional analytical systems are developed. Coupling with laser ablation (LA-SF-ICP-MS) delivers information about the spatial distribution of actinides and fission products in solids (e.g., interaction of actinides with mineral phases acting as natural or geotechnical barriers). Advanced speciation methods are developed by coupling separation techniques with mass spectroscopy. As an example capillary electrophoresis coupled to sector field mass spectroscopy (CE-SF-ICP-MS) is developed to study actinide speciation at very low concentrations (10-11 bis 10-12 Mol/l).
Methods:
- ICP-MS quadrupole (inactive and adapted at a glove box)
- ICP-MS sector field (adapted at a glove box)
- ICP-OES (inactive and adapted at a glove box)
- Flame-AES/AAS (only non-radioactive samples)
For the analysis of radioactive samples see also radiochemical analysis and other methods.
Contact:
+49 721 608 24747