Rare Earth Elements Determination by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry after Alkaline Fusion Preparation

There is an increasing worldwide demand for rare earth elements (REEs) in new technological applications—such as electronics, superconductors, space applications, etc. The determination of low concentration REEs geological samples extremely important since they are the source materials all REE products. In order to improve accuracy and precision measurements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); complete digestion refractory phases minerals samples, procedural blanks, separation interfering matrix, elimination interference on analytes interest must be fulfilled. Conventional methods that use a hotplate mixture four acids effective but can take time achieve dissolution contain highly phases, which unacceptable mining metallurgical industry. Such difficult necessitate high-temperature alkaline flux fusion it offers faster more efficient alternative acid digestion. This paper presents accurate, precise, rapid, reliable method element analysis ICP-MS with detection limits, involves no sample pre-concentration, therefore able deliver data rapidly. analytical performance developed was tested successfully various rock-type certified reference evaluated statistically. results obtained were reasonable agreement published certificate values.