The analysis of titanium dioxide pigments by spark-source mass spectrography

Abstract

Graphite, silver and gold powders have been investigated as conducting media in the analysis of titanium dioxide pigments for trace elements by solid-source mass spectrography. It is concluded that graphite and silver are satisfactory, and that by using both these electrode systems the only elements that cannot be determined are sodium and copper.

It has been shown that by using niobium in low concentration as an internal standard, quantitative analysis is possible; the coefficient of variation of the results being approximately 15 per cent. Sensitivity factors for 44 elements relative to niobium in a graphite matrix, and 3 elements relative to niobium in a silver matrix, have been determined. The results of the determination of 27 elements commonly present in titanium dioxide pigments are given. The total time for a quantitative analysis is approximately 3 hours, and it is possible to analyse up to 8 samples in a working day of 8 hours.