Determination of trace amounts of palladium, iron and copper in pure gold by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

A method for the determination of trace amounts of Pd, Fe and Cu in pure gold has been established using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The most suitable spectral lines for the analysis have been selected by considering two essential criteria: sensitivity and spectral interferences. The samples were dissolved with aqua regia and the determinations were carried out by direct calibration with synthetic standards containing aqua regia. Precision and detection limits were investigated. The inhomogeneity of the sample was inferred from a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The minimum sample mass required to give representative sampling was determined.