Samples Containing Rare Earth Elements

Oxides, Hydroxides, Carbonates

The hydroxides are soluble in acids and the oxides are soluble provided they have not been ignited to high temperatures. Therefore, when ashing samples, attempt to keep the ashing temperature at 450 to 500 deg °C. Heating the oxides with 1:1 nitric acid is common with dissolution taking several minutes to hours depending upon sample size and oxide thermal history. The carbonates are insoluble in water and soluble in dilute nitric and HCl.

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