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Eingeladener Vortrag
- nein (24)
Mass spectrometric detection can play a prominent role in the assessment of different reactions occurring at varied temperatures in a milled ZnO/Al mixture. This is the first time that online mass spectrometric information was used as a tool for monitoring and understanding the chemical reduction process mechanism. We have observed four different types of reaction taking place: (1) distillation of Zn metal, (2) reduction of ZnO by activated Al, (3) melting of Al and finally (4) reduction of ZnO by inactivated Al. The experimental conditions and results observed by QMS were supported with literature data and physical measurement data from X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) which gave us an idea about the complex reaction cascade which occurred during the formation of the zinc metal.
Detection and monitoring of volatile elements released during the preparation of ultra high purity zinc by vacuum distillation (VD) is reported using online quadrupole gas source mass spectrometry (QMS). The theoretically calculated vapour pressures (pv) for the volatile impurity elements using Dushman constants and the practically observed mass spectra were found to be consistent (S. Dushman and J. M. Lafferty, Scienific Foundations of Vacuum Technique, 2nd ed., Wiley, New York, 1962). This is the first time that the potential ability of an online mass spectrometer was used for monitoring and understanding the process mechanism during the purification of metals (Zn) using VD. We here also illustrate our findings with the results from high resolution glow discharge mass spectrometer (HR-GDMS) analysis before and after the purification of Zn.
Ultra high purity Zn (m6N5) was obtained through triple vacuum distillation using an m4N5 Zn as input material. High-volatile impurities were removed from the zinc matrix by vacuum evaporation, while traces having lower volatility than the matrix remained in the residual material after finishing of the entire purification process. The time required for the removal of the main high-volatile impurity (Cd) was monitored using a connected gas source mass spectrometer. During distillation the Zn vapor of the distillate was condensed on the cap of a glassy carbon crucible which was water cooled by a movable copper block. The temperatures were optimized for the removal of the volatiles and for the distillation process using vapor pressure data. High resolution glow discharge mass spectrometry was applied for the analysis and purity evaluation of the distilled and input zinc. The analysis confirmed the reduction of the metallic impurities from 43 mg kg-1 to 0.5 mg kg-1 (m6N5) after three consecutive vacuum distillations. An increase in the grain size and a decrease in the micro-hardness were observed for the purified Zn material.
The hollow cathode (HC) effect was investigated in non-cooled 15 mm deep drilled flat metallic analytical samples that were easy to prepare. The deep cavity used ("complete HC" in contrast to "recessed HC" with 2-3 mm deep cavity) intensified the HC effect notably and therefore distinctly improved the detection power of the common GD-OES with planar cathodes. A signal enhancement of up to a factor of 150, not reported earlier, in comparison with flat conventional samples was achieved. A better separation of the analytical lines from spectral interferences was observed when the HC assembly was applied. Additionally, an effect of strongly enhanced intensities of atomic lines and somewhat decreased intensities of ionic lines was detected in the case of HC in comparison to usual planar cathodes. The investigations were carried out with samples of copper, steel and zinc matrices using both the same and individually optimised glow discharge (GD) electrical parameters.
Synthetic pressed metal powder standards doped with standard solutions were used for the calibration of both commercially available high resolution GD-MS instruments Element GD and VG 9000 for zinc matrix. Different quantification procedures (IBR, Standard RSF, matrix matched RSF from the calibration with CRMs and use of doped synthetic standards) are compared using zinc matrix as an example, whereas the calibration with doped pellets turned out to be the best quantification technique for high-purity materials. The applicability of the Standard RSF concept is scrutinised. In this context, RSF values for several Matrices (Co, Cu, Fe, In and Zn) are reported additionally.
Calibration of two commercially available glow discharge double focusing mass spectrometers, the VG 9000 and Element GD, is described using synthetic pin standards pressed from solution doped copper and zinc matrices. A special pressing die was developed for this purpose and optimal results were obtained with the highest possible pressures, i.e., 95 kN·cm- 2. This calibration approach permits the determination of trace element mass fractions down to µg·kg- 1 with small uncertainties and additionally provides traceability of the GD-MS results in the most direct manner to the SI (International System of Units). Results were validated by concurrent measurements of a number of compact copper and zinc certified reference materials. The impact of the sample pin cross-section (circular or square) was investigated with the use of a new pin-sample holder system for the Element GD. The pin-sample holder was designed by the manufacturer for pin-samples having circular cross-section; however, samples with square pin cross-section were also shown to provide acceptable results. Relative Sensitivity Factors for some 50 analytes in copper (VG 9000, Element GD) and zinc matrices (VG 9000) are presented. The field of applicability of GD-MS may be considerably extended via analysis of pin geometry samples based on their ease of preparation, especially with respect to the accuracy and traceability of the results and the enhanced number of analytes which can be reliably calibrated using such samples.
In supplementary work to the one published earlier, experiments with SF6, NF3, CF4 and H2 as new modifier gases for the matrix studied were performed. Our investigations were continued to improve the described analytical method and to achieve additional insights into the mechanism of analyte release. Our new survey is split in two parts. At first fluorinating modifiers were used to investigate the behaviour of a variety of trace elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Te, Ti, Zn and Zr). Most of them (exceptions Au, Se, and Te) could be effectively released from the copper matrix by thermo-halogenation reactions and by partial sub-sample evaporation. Using SF6 and NF3 as modifier gases, low limits of quantification (LOQs) were achieved for the 19 well released trace elements (typical ≤0.1 mg kg-1). Most elements (exceptions Ag, Mg, and Ni) could be calibrated by using aqueous calibration solutions without any sample pretreatment. For the trace determination of Se, Te, and Au, a further analytical method of ETV-ICP OES is described in the second part based on thermo-hydrogenation reactions by using a hydrogen/argon mixture as a modifier gas. The determination of Se and Te with very high analytical performance (LOQ < 0.1 mg kg-1) can either be carried out in a second analytical step succeeding the halogenation procedure, or the sub-sample is directly treated with H2 without previous halogenation procedure whereby the sub-sample can either be partially or totally evaporated. In this case some other analytes (Ag, Au, As, Bi, Cd, Fe, Mg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn) can additionally be quantified simultaneously with Se and Te.
Inspired by the globule arc technique a new electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ETV-ICP OES) method was developed for the analysis of high-purity copper materials. The performance of the method was investigated for the analytes Ag, Al, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Te, Ti, Zn and Zr. ETV parameters were optimized regarding the release of the analytes, the transport efficiency and the quality of analytical results in terms of precision, trueness and power of detection. The influence of CCl2F2, CHClF2, C2H2F4 and CHF3 as gaseous halogenation modifiers was investigated. A sufficient in situ analyte matrix separation was achieved by using CHF3 as halogenating reagent avoiding a high matrix input from the molten copper sample into the ETV system and the plasma. A complete release from the samples was obtained for all investigated analytes except Se and Te. Acceptable results for the determination of the trace elements Ag, Al, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Si, Sn, Ti, Zn and Zr in high-purity copper were achieved. The method includes a preceding sample preparation step of oxidizing the surface of copper samples which results in a significantly enhanced sensitivity. In addition to the calibration with copper samples, the feasibility of the calibration with liquid multi-element solutions was investigated. Except for Ag, Mg and Ni all analytes could be analyzed using aqueous calibration solutions. The trueness of the method was tested by the determination of analyte contents of certified reference materials. Limits of quantification ranging from 0.6 ng g-1 to 29 ng g-1 were achieved. The developed direct solid sampling method is time and cost effective and well suited for the characterization of high-purity copper materials. The method can be automated to a large extent and is applicable for processes accompanying analyses. In contrast to all other investigated trace elements, Se and Te were not released from the matrix at measurable levels under the used conditions. The determination of these elements is still under investigation and will be reported in a succeeding publication.
Premixed 1% Freon in argon inner gas of various composition (CCl2F2, CHClF2, CHF3) was applied to graphite furnace atomizer to minimize unfavorable effects of carbide formation, such as signal tailing and memory effects in the simultaneous determination of Cr, Mo, Ti and V refractory analytes by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using a multielement atomic absorption spectrometer. The effect of these gaseous additives was investigated when applied separately in atomization, pyrolysis and clean-out steps. The halogenation effects were analytically useful only under the precondition of using ArH2 outer gas to the furnace to all heating steps, and also using this gas in the pre-atomization (drying, pyrolysis) steps. Optimum analytical performance was obtained when mixtures of 1% Freon in argon were applied just before and during the atomization step at a flow rate of 50 mL min- 1 and 2% hydrogen was used as purge gas. Using optimum conditions, signal tailings and carry-over contamination were reduced effectively and good precision (relative standard deviation below 1%) could be attained. Applying 1% CHClF2 and an atomization temperature of 2550 °C, the characteristic masses obtained for simple aqueous solutions were 8.8 pg for Cr, 17 pg for Mo, 160 pg for Ti, and 74 pg for V. The limits of detection were 0.05, 0.2, 2.3 and 0.5 µg L- 1 for Cr, Mo, Ti and V, respectively. The developed method was applied to the analysis of digests of advanced ceramics. The accuracy of the procedure was confirmed by analyzing the certified reference material ERM-ED 102 (Boron Carbide Powder) and a silicon nitride powder distributed in the inter-laboratory comparison CCQM-P74.
The key comparison CCQM-K33 was organized by the Inorganic Analysis Working Group of the CCQM to test the abilities of the national metrology institutes to measure the mass fractions of minor elements in steel. Elements to be analysed were Cr, Mn, Ni and Mo in low alloy steel. The National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) acted as the coordinating laboratories. The participants used various measurement methods, though many of them used ICP-AES. Generally speaking, the agreement of the results was very good for each measurand.
A method, based on electrothermal vaporization (ETV) coupled to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES), has been optimized for direct solid sampling analysis of soda-lime glass - the most common type of industrially manufactured glass. This method allows fast and reliable quantification of the main elements - Al, Ca, K, Mg, Na, and Si - and trace elements - As, Ba, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, (P), Pb, Sb, (Se), Sn, Sr, Ti, V, Zn, and Zr. In the presented ETV-ICP OES method, calibration is performed predominantly with matrix-free synthetic samples. This metrological advantage is normally not achieved with direct solid sampling methods and is one of the goals of the present study. In a certification interlaboratory comparison for the soda-lime glass CRM BAM-S005c, 2 out of 16 laboratories employed the ETV-ICP OES method. An improved analytical performance was obtained compared with the results of laboratories that used conventional liquid ICP OES. For both methods, the average relative deviations between the laboratory results and certified values as well as the average values of relative standard deviation were with a few exceptions <10%, in most cases even <5%, which indicated high trueness and precision.
ICP-MS analysis of high purity molybdenum used as SI-traceable standard of high metrological quality
(2005)
The need, concept and technical approach for the certification of SI-traceable standards of high metrological quality for chemical analysis of the elements is briefly explained. As an example of problems occurring in the certification of these standards, special technical aspects related to the analysis of high purity Mo by ICP-MS, namely blank reduction for Na, Li and Ni by protective coating of the cones with silicon, as well as dealing with the interferences from the Mo matrix, are discussed.
The determination of O, N and H using a microwave induced plasma coupled to carrier gas hot extraction was exploratory investigated. The signal intensities versus time of blanks and calibration materials were recorded. To check for interferences the signal intensities versus wavelength were recorded at the times just before increase and at the maximum of the time dependent analytical signal. O, N and H were investigated at their prominent wavelengths of 777 nm, 174 nm and 486 nm, respectively. Calibration was performed for O, N and H in the ranges of 027 µg, 351000 µg and 343 µg respectively. For concentration values in the middle of the linear part of the investigated calibration interval, a relative precision of 5% at 13 µg, 2% at 74 µg and 0.6% at 23 µg for O, N and H respectively was found. The maximum matrix load to the plasma used was found to be 150 µg min-1. From the signal to noise ratio and the sensitivity obtained, instrumental limits of detection (3s) of 0.01 µg for O, 1 µg for N and 0.1 µg for H were found. Assuming a typical sample mass of 1 g this corresponds to relative LODs of 0.01 µg g-1, 1 µg g-1 and 0.1 µg g-1 for O, N and H respectively.
The special importance of the analysis of non-metals in high purity metals, which will serve as national standards for elemental analysis in Germany, is illustrated for oxygen and nitrogen. The typical range of the mass fraction of oxygen and nitrogen in these materials is below 10.MU.g/g, often close to 1.MU.g/g. The two methods applied at BAM for these measurements are classical carrier gas hot extraction (HE) and carrier gas hot extraction after activation with photons (PAA-HE). The approach, the methods and their advantages and limitations are discussed. Comparative results from the measurement of oxygen and nitrogen in Cu, Fe, Ga, Pb, Sn and W are presented. (author abst.)
An inter-laboratory study was performed by some National Metrology Institutes in order to take a snap shot of the comparability and the capability of performing purity assessments of high purity materials as needed for providing national standards for elemental determination. The measurand was defined as the value of the sum of the mass fractions of Ag, Al, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn in the bulk of a high purity nickel material and the interim results for the six individual impurities. Whereas for the analytes Ag, Al, Cu and Fe there was no agreement within the target uncertainty of 30%, agreement could be achieved for Pb and Zn. The discrepancies observed for the individual analytes resulted in a variation of a factor of 8 of the reported values for the impurity of nickel with respect to the six defined metallic analytes. The reference measurements using IDMS and for Al using GD-MS confirmed the lower reported values.
The application of metrology in chemical analysis is today hampered by psychological and practical barriers. The argumentation is based on the differences in physical and chemical metrology, which arises mainly from the objects of the measurements. The term measurement is discussed in the realm of analytical chemistry with a special focus on the inherent relation between chemical identification and determination as well as the consequent use of the concept of traceability and uncertainty.
In Germany a system of primary amount of substance standards for elemental analysis is being developed, which forms the material´s basis for the National Standards for element determination. The metrological concept and technical approach is briefly described. The objective of traceability in chemistry, in this case for elemental determination, is illustrated on the example of copper.
A complete metrological traceability system for measurement results of chemical analysis was set up. Core components are pure substances (national standards) characterised at the highest metrological level, primary solutions prepared from these pure substances and secondary solutions deduced from the primary solutions and intended for sale. The relative uncertainty of the element mass fraction of the primary substances and solutions is < 0.01 and < 0.05%, respectively. For the certification of transfer solutions and for stability testing, a precision measurement method for element contents has been developed by means of optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) by which uncertainties between 0.1 and 0.05% can be achieved. The dissemination to field laboratories is effected with the aid of a calibration laboratory of the German Calibration Service (DKD) which certifies the element content of the secondary solutions with an uncertainty <= 0.3%. Calibration with these solutions enables the user to establish traceability of his measurement results to the International System of Units (SI). Currently, the system comprises Cu, Fe, Bi, Ga, Si, Na, K, Sn, W, and Pb.
Within the National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and designated laboratories, an interlaboratory comparison, CCQM-P107, was conducted to verify the degree of international comparability concerning the results of purity analysis. The mass fractions of Ag, Bi, Cd, Cr, Ni, Tl at the lower mg/kg-level in a high purity zinc material were determined, but the real measurand in metrological sense was the sum of the six mass fractions. Homogeneity was investigated by glow discharge mass spectrometry, reference values were obtained using isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Six NMIs participated, contributing eight independent data sets. The agreement amongst the results of the participants, their median and the agreement with the reference values were usually excellent and in almost all cases below the target uncertainty of 30% relative. In this manner, the accuracy of results and the comparability between the participants was demonstrated to be established.
Primäre Kalibriernormale für die metrologische Rückführung in der anorganischen chemischen Analytik
(2003)
Special new techniques of atomic spectrometric methods for trace analysis of high purity metals
(2003)
Siliciumcarbid (SiC) ist ein wichtiges technisches Material nicht nur in seinen klassischen Anwendungsbereichen, die auf seinen hervorragenden mechanischen Eigenschaften, insbesondere seiner großen Härte, und seinem besonderen thermischen Verhalten beruhen. Vielfache Anwendungen finden sich auch als Hochleistungskeramik, in der Halbleitertechnik, der Opto- und Mikroelektronik. Für seinen Gebrauch in den verschiedenen Anwendungsgebieten ist die Reinheit des Materials von großer Bedeutung. Die auf der Verwendung von Aufschlusslösungen basierende Analytik ist wegen des erforderlichen zeitaufwendigen Aufschlussverfahrens wenig effektiv. Für größere Analysenserien und für die schnellere Bereitstellung der Ergebnisse sind deshalb direkte Analysenverfahren mit Festprobentechnik von verschiedenen Autoren erprobt und eingesetzt worden. Um zu zuverlässigen und vergleichbaren analytischen Aussagen zu gelangen, sind für einen breiten Einsatz bei den Herstellern validierte und genormte Analysenverfahren erforderlich. Die vorgestellten Ergebnisse sind Bestandteil des Validierungs- und Normungsprozesses. Hierbei wurde für jede der beiden Feststoff-Analysenmethoden mit Multielementcharakter, die optische Emissionsspektrometrie mit induktiv gekoppeltem Plasma und elektrothermischer Verdampfung (ETV ICP OES) und die optische Emissionsspektrometrie mit Gleichstrombogenanregung (DC Arc OES), ein Ringversuch zur Multielement-Spurenbestimmung an sechs vorcharakterisierten Siliciumcarbidpulvern durchgeführt. An diesen Laborvergleichen beteiligten sich mit der ETV ICP OES acht und mit der DC Arc OES neun Laboratorien aus Industrieunternehmen, Forschungseinrichtungen und Universitäten. An jeder der sechs untersuchten Proben wurden sechs parallele Messungen ausgeführt, mit der ETV ICP OES für die Analyten Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, Ti, V und Zr und mit der DC Arc OES für die Analyten Al, B, Ca, Fe, Mg, Ni, Ti und Zr. Für drei der sechs Proben wurden die Gehalte aus den auf der Basis dieser Messungen bestimmten Kalibrierkurven ermittelt, wobei die jeweilige Probe nicht in die Kalibrierung einbezogen wurde. Aus den ermittelten Gehalten wurden nach DIN ISO 5725-2 die Wiederhol- und die Vergleichspräzision beider Analysenverfahren berechnet. Diese stellen wichtige Beiträge zur Verfahrensvalidierung und zur geplanten Normung im Rahmen des DIN NMP 264 "Chemische Analyse von nichtoxidischen keramischen Roh- und Werkstoffen" dar. Ein Eindruck über die Richtigkeit beider Analysenverfahren läßt sich durch Vergleich der Ergebnisse mit den durch rückführbare Messungen zuvor erhaltenen Werten gewinnen. Dabei ist zu beachten, dass diese auch für die Kalibrierung verwendeten Gehaltsangaben der sechs verschiedenen Kalibrierproben nicht in allen Fällen auf einer geraden oder monoton steigenden Kalibrierkurve liegen. Im Nachgang wurde außerdem von der BAM in Kooperation mit der GDMB und unter breiter internationaler Beteiligung eines der sechs SiC-Pulver als Referenzmaterial zertifiziert. Hierdurch wird die Zuverlässigkeit der Aussagen zur Richtigkeit noch weiter erhöht. Die Vergleichs- und die Wiederholpräzision werden als überwiegend gut eingeschätzt, die Richtigkeit als gut bis befriedigend; nur in wenigen Fällen treten größere systematische Abweichungen von den Referenzwerten auf. Damit werden beide Analysentechniken als geeignet zur schnellen Direktanalytik der nur schwer und zeitaufwendig aufzuschließenden Siliciumcarbidpulver bewertet.
Im Beitrag wird außer auf die Ringversuche und ihre Auswertung auch auf methodische Besonderheiten beider direkten Feststoff-Analysenverfahren eingegangen.
Multielement trace determination in high purity advanced ceramics and in high purity metals
Ralf Matschat, Hans-Joachim Heinrich, Michael Czerwensky, Sandra Kuxenko and
Heinrich Kipphardt
Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM),
Richard-Willstaetter-Strasse 11, D-12489 Berlin, Germany
Certified reference materials (CRMs) are of high importance to check the trueness of results in chemical analysis. In the field of advanced ceramics two CRMs were developed in the last years by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing - (BAM), one for silicon nitride and one for silicon carbide. The certification of these materials is briefly discussed in this contribution. Both CRMs are not of extremely high purity in the classical sense, but besides their application by industry they are appropriate to be used for the validation of special methods used for trace determination in accordant high purity materials. This is demonstrated for the example of ultrapure silicon carbide which was analyzed by solid sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (SS ET AAS). Wet chemical dissolution of this pure material typically introduces blanks which are too high for ultratrace analysis. Therefore SS ET AAS as a direct method was applied which does not need any wet chemical sample preparation. This method can be applied very effectively concerning sample throughput. But, as for all direct solid sampling methods, the calibration is a problem difficult to solve. By using the accordant CRM it could be demonstrated, that the calibration with liquid sample aliquots can be performed without affecting the trueness of the results. The analytical parameters and the performance of the method are discussed.
Besides the so-called matrix CRMs, as reported for silicon nitride and silicon carbide, BAM is also certifying primary pure reference materials used as the National Standards for inorganic analysis in Germany. This work is performed in the frame of an extensive project in co?operation with the sister institute of BAM, the Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). The crucial point of this project is the certification of the purity of high purity materials, each representing one element of the periodic table. Up to now more than ten primary CRMs are certified or not far from being certified. A variety of different analytical methods was necessary to determine the trace contents of metallic and non-metallic impurities from almost the whole periodic table in the high purity materials. Using high purity copper as an example the application and the results of the different methods applied are demonstrated. Another example presented is high purity iron. In this context the very good comparability of the results from two different methods, used for the determination of metallic traces is demonstrated. One of these methods was the "working horse" - the sector field high resolution ICP mass spectrometry (HR ICP-MS) mainly used in low resolution mode to exploit the good detection power and the other one was the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS), which was used to confirm the results of the HR ICP-MS. The analysis of pure molybdenum is presented as a third example. The problems of spectral matrix interference are discussed and different ways of their handling are pointed out. By this example it can also be demonstrated, how the coating of the inlet cones of the ICP mass spectrometer by matrix elements of solutions - which normally is an adverse effect - can be advantageously used to decrease the measured blank values of some analyte elements drastically.
Netzwerk "Metrologie in der Chemie" für zuverlässige Messergebnisse in der chemischen Analytik
(2006)
The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing) (BAM) is establishing a system of primary reference materials to meet the demands for metrological traceability and to act as national standards in the field of elemental analysis. For all elements of the periodic table - except those that are gases or radioactive - two different kinds of reference materials are being certified. One is for analyte calibration (Type A) and one for problems concerning matrix matching (Type B). These substances are of very high purity and of defined stoichiometry. As far as possible, pure elements and metals rather than pure compounds are used. The certification of both types of material requires most elements of the periodic table to be certified at very low levels using trace element analysis methods. The application of these methods is described and examples of the certification of copper and iron are given.
The Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung, BAM (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing) continues to establish a system of primary reference materials to meet the demands of metrological traceability. The materials act as national standards in the field of elemental analysis. For all elements of the periodic table -excepting those that are gases or radioactive- two different kinds of reference materials are being certified. The substances are of very high purity and of defined stoichiometry. Pure elements and metals are used as far as possible. They are certified by determining the trace contents of most elements of the periodic table at very low levels using different trace element analysis methods. Recent application of these methods is described and examples of the certification of some pure metals (copper, iron and lead) are given. (author abst.)
Special new techniques of atomic spectrometric methods for trace analysis of high purity metals
(2003)
The certification of a boron carbide reference material for chemical composition is described. The mass fractions of 16 elements and two boron species are certified in an international interlaboratory comparison with 35 participating laboratories from six different countries. Beside chemical characterization the certification process includes homogeneity and stability testing of the candidate material boron carbide (type F360, 305M422). Details of the analytical methods used for chemical characterization and of the calculation of the uncertainties of the certified mass fractions are given. The new reference material ERM®-ED102 with certified mass fractions of 18 parameters (elements and species) and of the amount fraction of the isotope 10B is a valuable tool for laboratories working in the field of advanced ceramic materials analysis to improve their analytical results.
A magnetically stabilized DC arc device, designed for operation with OES spectrometers was used to determine the elements Ag, Al, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, In, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, Zr at trace levels of some μg kg−1 up to some 10 mg kg−1 in graphite powders. The coil for the generation of the homogeneous magnetic field was placed outside the closed arc chamber. The time programs of variable current strengths of the magnetic coil (up to 6 A) and of the arc (up to 17 A) which was burning in air were computer controlled. Halogenating gases (mainly CCl2F2, alternatively SF6 and NF3) were used as chemical modifiers to allow an effective release of the carbide forming trace elements. The mass flow controlled modifier gas was led through a special carrier electrode near the arc plasma. The emission radiation was guided by an optical fiber alternatively into two different ICP spectrometers in which the ICP torches were removed. The synergistic interaction of the magnetic field with the halogenating modifier gases resulted in a significant improvement in the analytical performance of the optimized analytical method. All our results for 22 trace elements were in good agreement with the means of an inter-laboratory comparison by BAM for certification of a pure graphite powder material; this holds also for our results for two other graphite materials. The optimized method showed an analytical performance suitable for comprehensive trace analysis of pure graphite. The instrumentation could be integrated into modern DC arc emission spectrometers to improve their analytical capabilities substantially.
The members of the committee NMP 264 Chemical analysis of non-oxidic raw and basic materials of the German Standards Institute (DIN) have organized two interlaboratory comparisons for multielement determination of trace elements in silicon carbide (SiC) powders via direct solid sampling methods. One of the interlaboratory comparisons was based on the application of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry with electrothermal vaporization (ETV ICP OES), and the other on the application of optical emission spectrometry with direct current arc (DC arc OES). The interlaboratory comparisons were organized and performed in the framework of the development of two standards related to the determination of mass fractions of metallic impurities in powders and grain sizes of ceramic raw and basic materials by both methods. SiC powders were used as typical examples of this category of material. The aim of the interlaboratory comparisons was to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of both analytical methods to be standardized. This was an important contribution to the practical applicability of both draft standards. Eight laboratories participated in the interlaboratory comparison with ETV ICP OES and nine in the interlaboratory comparison with DC arc OES. Ten analytes were investigated by ETV ICP OES and eleven by DC arc OES. Six different SiC powders were used for the calibration. The mass fractions of their relevant trace elements were determined after wet chemical digestion. All participants followed the analytical requirements described in the draft standards. In the calculation process, three of the calibration materials were used successively as analytical samples. This was managed in the following manner: the material that had just been used as the analytical sample was excluded from the calibration, so the five other materials were used to establish the calibration plot. The results from the interlaboratory comparisons were summarized and used to determine the repeatability and the reproducibility (expressed as standard deviations) of both methods. The calculation was carried out according to the related standard. The results are specified and discussed in this paper, as are the optimized analytical conditions determined and used by the authors of this paper. For both methods, the repeatability relative standard deviations were <25%, usually ~10%, and the reproducibility relative standard deviations were <35%, usually ~15%. These results were regarded as satifactory for both methods intended for rapid analysis of materials for which decomposition is difficult and time-consuming. Also described are some results from an interlaboratory comparison used to certify one of the materials that had been previously used for validation in both interlaboratory comparisons. Thirty laboratories (from eight countries) participated in this interlaboratory comparison for certification. As examples, accepted results are shown from laboratories that used ETV ICP OES or DC arc OES and had performed calibrations by using solutions or oxides, respectively. The certified mass fractions of the certified reference materials were also compared with the mass fractions determined in the interlaboratory comparisons performed within the framework of method standardization. Good agreement was found for most of the analytes.
A new approach was developed for quantitative calibration in GD-MS which can afford reliable and metrologically traceable results for many trace elements and was exemplified for pure copper and pure iron. It can be assumed that the technique can be further improved and applied to the analysis of other pure metals. Pressed copper and iron powder samples were used to calibrate the glow discharge mass spectrometry applied to the analysis of pure copper and iron. The new type of glow discharge mass spectrometerthe Element GD (Thermo Electron Corporation)was used with a Grimm-type discharge cell for flat samples. Two series of powder samples were prepared for each of the copper and iron matrixes. The powders were quantitatively doped with solutions of graduated and defined concentrations of 40 or 20 analytes, respectively. The mass fractions of the analytes in the dried and homogenized metal powder samples ranged from µg/kg levels up to 10 mg/kg levels. A special technique was developed to press the samples and to form mechanically stable pellets with low risk of contamination. Ion beam ratios of analyte ions to matrix ions were used as measurands. The calibration curves were determined and the linear correlation coefficients were calculated for different intervals of the curves. The linear correlation coefficients are very satisfactory for most of the calibration curves, which include the higher segments of mass fractions; however, they are less satisfactory for the lower segments of the calibration curves. Nevertheless, in many cases rather acceptable and rather promising values were achieved even for these lower segments, representing mass fractions of analytes at ultra-trace level. The comparison of the certified values of different reference materials with the measured values based on calibrations with the pressed powder samples led to deviations less than 30% for most of the considered examples.
During its 25 years of existence, the Inorganic Analysis Working Group of the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance: Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM IAWG) has achieved much in establishing comparability of measurement results. Impressive work has been done on comparison exercises related to real-world problems in fields such as ecology, food, or health. In more recent attempts, measurements and comparisons were focused on calibration solutions which are the basis of most inorganic chemical measurements. This contribution deals with the question of how to achieve full and transparent SI traceability for the values carried by such solutions. Within this framework, the use of classical primary methods (CPMs) is compared to the use of a primary difference method (PDM). PDM is a method with a dual character, namely a metrological method with a primary character, based on the bundling of many measurement methods for individual impurities, which lead to materials with certified content of the main component. As in classical methods, where small corrections for interferences are accepted, in PDM, many small corrections are bundled. In contrast to classical methods, the PDM is universally applicable to all elements in principle. Both approaches can be used to certify the purity (expressed as mass fraction of the main element) of a high-purity material. This is where the metrological need of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) for analytical methods meet the challenges of analytical methods. In terms of methods, glow discharge mass spectrometry (GMDS) with sufficient uncertainties for sufficiently small impurity contents is particularly noteworthy for the certification of primary transfer standards (PTS), and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS), which particularly benefits from PTS (back-spikes) with small uncertainties, is particularly noteworthy for the application. The corresponding relative uncertainty which can be achieved using the PDM is very low (< 10−4). Acting as PTS, they represent the link between the material aspect of the primary calibration solutions and the immaterial world of the International System of Units (SI). The underlying concepts are discussed, the current status of implementation is summarised, and a roadmap of the necessary future activities in inorganic analytical chemistry is sketched. It has to be noted that smaller measurement uncertainties of the purity of high-purity materials not only have a positive effect on chemical measurements, but also trigger new developments and findings in other disciplines such as thermometry or materials science.
Diffraction of hard synchrotron radiation as well as constant-wavelength and time-of-flight neutron diffraction were used for the structural characterization of a silicon carbide powder having extremely low levels of chemical impurities, high perfection of the crystalline lattice and a grain size of up to 150 µm. The presence of three polytypes was ascertained and the ratios of their mass fractions were determined to be w15R : w6H = 0.002,3(8) and w4H : w6H = 0.000,6(2).
The capabilities of National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) and selected outside expert laboratories of determining the mass fractions of the main and minor elements Cu, Pb, Sn, Fe, and Ni in a lead-containing brass were assessed. This pilot study P76 was organized as an activity of the Inorganic Analysis Working Group of CCQM and was piloted by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). In total 12 laboratories (four NMIs and eight outside labs) submitted results, some of them more than one set of results per element. The laboratories were free to choose any analytical method they wanted to use for the analysis. Consequently various methods of measurement were employed: inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), instrumental neutron-activation analysis (INAA), titrimetry, flame atomic-absorption spectrometry (FAAS), spectrophotometry (MAS), electrogravimetry, and gravimetric analysis. After testing for homogeneity within BAM, a certified reference material of lead-containing brass was used as test sample without informing the participants about the source of the material. The agreement of the results for all elements investigated was acceptable and mean values calculated from the results of all participants were close to the certified mass fractions of the CRM used as test sample. No statistically significant differences between the results of the NMIs and those of the non-NMIs could be observed.
The degree of equivalence within the participating national metrology institutes for the measurement results of the mass fractions of the analytes Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in an aluminium alloy was assessed. This interlaboratory comité consultatif pour la quantité de matière key comparison (CCQM-K42) was organised as an activity of the Inorganic Analytical Working Group of CCQM. In total seven laboratories participated, six of them for all analytes. Measurands were the mass fractions of the analytes in a range of 0.05 and 0.2%. As an outcome the consistency of the results for all elements investigated was acceptable, hence satisfactory comparability was established. An aluminium based certified reference material—undisclosed to the analysts which one it was—was used as test sample. For the purpose of this study homogeneity was tested at BAM. Each laboratory was free to choose any analytical method they wanted to use for the analysis. Consequently various methods of measurement were employed: instrumental neutron activation analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) using fused cast-bead method combined with reconstitution technique, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Metrological traceability of the measurement results to the SI unit had to be demonstrated. Therefore, methods such as spark OES or XRF (without fused cast-bead technique)—both of them being most important methods for the analysis of metals and alloys in industrial laboratories—could not be used in the frame of the key comparison.
Within the Working Group on Inorganic Analysis (IAWG) of the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance: Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (CCQM) international key comparisons and pilot studies related to inorganic analysis are carried to ensure consistency in this field at the highest level. Some of these comparisons deal directly with the preparation and characterization of monoelemental solutions or with topics, closely related. The importance of monoelemental solutions lies in the fact that almost every measurement in inorganic analysis relies on the comparison with either a reference material, or references in form of solutions, usually (mono)elemental solutions. All quantitative measurement approaches, e.g. isotope dilution or standard addition, need an accurate reference solution made from a well characterized reference material, prepared under full gravimetric control. These primary (monoelemental) solutions do not only serve as arbitrary references/calibration solutions, but they also link up measurement results to the International System of units (SI), this way establishing the so-called metrological traceability to a measurement unit of the SI. Without such solutions on the highest possible level of accuracy and with the smallest possible associated uncertainties (for e.g. element content and/or impurities), an analysis itself can never be as good as it could be with appropriate reference solutions. This article highlights select key comparisons and pilot studies dealing with monoelemental solution related topics within the IAWG from the foundation of CCQM – 25 years ago – up to latest achievements in the field of inorganic analysis.
The International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) is based on thermodynamic equilibrium states of ideally pure substances. The largest contribution to the uncertainty budgets of most metallic fixed points is the influence of impurities on the fixed-point temperature. Therefore, a traceable chemical analysis of the remaining impurities with small uncertainty is the basis of further progress. Further requirements are better knowledge of the phase diagrams at very low impurity contents, impurity segregation, and the quantification and correction of thermal effects during a fixed-point realization. In this article, current and future activities at PTB and BAM in order to develop improved metallic fixed-point cells of the ITS-90 are reviewed.
Determining the influence of impurities on the fixed-point emperatures
of the ITS-90 requires the completion of several tasks. In this paper, the Progress made at Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and BAMFederal Institute for Materials Research and Testing is presented and remaining questions are discussed.
The projected characterization procedure at PTB, which is based on the established SIE method (sum of the individual estimates), using a new indium fixed-point cell is described as an example. This procedure includes an SI-traceable chemical Analysis of the material in the fixed-point cell with sufficiently low uncertainties, the individual experimental determination of the influence of the quantified impurities on the fixed-point temperature, and the establishment of direct links to the phase-transition temperatures of the national standard and of an assumed material of ideal purity.
A characteristic difference to the common practice is the chemical analysis of the fixed-point metal being done after determining the cells freezing temperature. This allows for the detection and consideration of contamination and purification effects due to the filling process, or due to the contact with the carbon crucible and other parts of the fixed-point cell. A chemical analysis of an indium fixed-point was carried out by BAM with relative measurement uncertainties below 30 % which have not been previously achieved. The results provide evidence for the precipitation of some impurities,
which is apparently inconsistent with the corresponding binary phase diagrams, but was explained in a recent publication. Implications for the use of the SIE method shall be described briefly at the end.
Within the scope of a project of the 'European Association of National Metrology Institutes' (EURAMET), a European metrological dissemination System (network) providing traceable reference values assigned to matrix materials for validation purposes is described and put to the test. It enables testing laboratories (TL) to obtain comparable results for measurements under the 'EU Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC' (WFD) and thus, to comply with a core requirement of this very directive. The dissemination system is characterized by the fact that it is available to all laboratories throughout Europe which intend to perform measurements in the context of the WFD and that it can ensure sustainable metrological traceability to the International System of Units (SI) as a reference point for the measurement results. This Dissemination system is set up in a hierarchical manner and links up the level of the national metrology institutes (NMI) with that of the TLs via an intermediate level of calibration laboratories (CL) by comparison measurements. The CLs are expert laboratories with respect to the measurement of the analytes considered here (within the project, the CLs are called potential calibration laboratories (PCL)) and are additionally involved in the organization of comparison measurements within the scope of regional quality assurance (QA) systems.
Three comparison measurements have been performed to support the approach. A total of about 130 laboratories participated in this exercise with the focus on the measurement of the priority substances Pb, Cd, Hg, and Ni defined in the WFD. The elemental concentrations in the water samples roughly corresponded to one of the established environmental quality standards (EQS), the annual average concentration (AA-EQS), which is defined in the daughter Directive 2008/105/EC of the WFD. It turned out that a significant number of TLs still need to improve their measurement methods in order to be able to fulfill the Minimum requirements of the WFD, in particular, with regard to the elements Cd and Hg probably due to their low EQS values.
Furthermore, it became obvious that the hierarchical Dissemination system suggested here actually corresponds to the measuring capabilities of the three participating Groups (NMIs, PCLs, and TLs).
In this work, different calibration strategies for the determination of trace elements in pure copper metal by nanosecond laser ablation ICP-MS were investigated. In addition to certified reference materials (CRMs), pellets of doped copper powder were used for calibration. The micro homogeneity of the CRMs as well as the solution-doped pellets was sufficient to use them as calibration samples in combination with a laser spot size of 200 µm. In contrast, pellets doped with analytes in solid form showed a significant heterogeneity. For most of the investigated analytes and copper CRMs the measured mass fractions were within ± 20% of their certified values when other copper CRMs were used as calibration samples. When solution-doped powder pellets were used as calibration samples a systematic trend towards mass fractions below the certified values was observed for nearly all elements determined in the analysed CRMs. Thermal fractionation effects during the ablation of the solution-doped pellets were suspected as the extent of the fractionation depends on the irradiance, whereas fractionation is reduced at higher irradiance.
Solution-doped metal powder pellets as well as aspirated liquids were used as calibration samples to analyze pure copper and zinc certified reference materials (CRMs) by femtosecond laser ablation ICP-MS. It was demonstrated that calibration by copper pellets resulted in relative deviations up to 20%, whereas fs-LA-ICP-MS among copper-based CRMs led to inaccuracies in the same range unless nominal mass fractions were chosen to be <3 mg/kg. Calibration by zinc pellets generally provided better accuracy. Depending on the analyte considered, deviations below 10% were obtained even for mass fractions close to the limit of quantification. Our data, therefore, indicate solution-doped metal powder pellets to be suitable as calibration samples for fs-LA-ICP-MS of metals. Furthermore, the utilization of liquid standards for calibration was found to result in stronger deviations of up to 50% for both copper and zinc samples which, in addition, turned out to be dependent on the plasma conditions.
Three methods for direct solid sampling of bulk material namely IR laser ablation, glow discharge and spark OES, were compared with respect to analytical figures of merit obtained for elemental analysis with atomic spectrometry. Matrices investigated were copper, pressed doped copper powder, and magnesium alloys. For the vast majority of analytes, statistical equivalence regarding precision (usually ≤ 5%) and the performance of the calibrations between the compared methods was demonstrated.
A candidate material for the use as primary standard for silver determination was characterized with respect to total purity. Except the radioactive elements and He, all possible impurities were considered. Based on glow discharge mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and carrier gas hot extraction measurements, the demonstrated total purity and its standard uncertainty is w(Ag) = (99.999 52 ± 0.000 11) %. The purity value and its uncertainty is dominated by the contributions from the measurements of the nonmetallic impurities, namely S, N, C and O.