Analysis of lithium and boron by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

Lithium and boron are two elements for which comprehensive trace element analysis is required. The dissolution methods for these materials are suspected of causing losses of certain elements, either by the formation of volatiles or by precipitation. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that acceptable accuracy and precision can be obtained for the determination of trace elements in lithium nitrate and boric acid solutions, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in order to assess trace element losses from the dissolution of matrix materials at some later date. Accuracy and precision have been determined from recoveries of the elements from a spiked lithium nitrate sample and by the analysis of a well characterised boron sample. Three dissolution techniques were assessed for the analysis of boron by comparison with the direct analysis of the solid sample. An assessment of the matrix effects from both of the materials is presented. Some discussion on the analytical methodology, including the use of indium as internal standard is included.