Development of a simple method for the direct determination of rare earth elements in refractory materials

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The multi-elemental analysis of solids typically requires their dissolution, which is time-consuming and very difficult, if not virtually impossible in several cases. During this project, a new method will be developed for the direct analysis of solids that are notoriously difficult to dissolve. The sample will be inserted into a small furnace whose temperature will be changed in steps in order to selectively vaporize the elements of interest into the detection system. To facilitate vaporization of the elements of interest, gases that can react with the solid within the furnace will be introduced into the furnace. The operating conditions will be optimized to yield a versatile method that is applicable to the accurate analysis of a variety of solids. This method will allow industries such as Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. (KPM) to analyze difficult samples in house, instead of having to send them to service laboratories, allowing much shorter turnaround time and with full control on the analysis quality control and quality assurance (QC/QA). The method will be developed in 4 steps. At the completion of the first step, KPM will have a basic method for the direct analysis of solids, requiring the use of solid reference materials for calibration. At the end of the second step, the direct analysis of solids will be possible using standard solutions for calibration, which are readily available and much cheaper than solid reference materials. After the third step, the method will allow the measurement of lower levels of elements in solid samples. At the end of the project, a versatile method for the reproducible and accurate direct analysis of solid samples will result. After each step, publication of the method, including a demonstration of its accuracy, will be done in a peer-reviewed journal so that others in Canada and elsewhere who also experience difficulty with the analysis of hard-to-dissolve solids may replicate it. Because the method will be applicable to soils, coal, etc., it should be invaluable to government laboratories monitoring elements in the environment, to geochemical prospectors looking for new under-cover ore deposits to mine, and to Canadian industries (such as the ceramics industry) that want to quickly assess the purity of their solid products.