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Chemical Stability and Compatibility - Stabilizing tungsten carbide samples

 
I am having trouble with the digestion and analysis of tungsten carbide by ICP-MS. I can get the sample into solution with a high concentration of HNO3 and HF but it seems to be attacking the instrument. If I decrease the HF concentration, then the internal standards become unstable and the results are not valid. Currently, the sample preparation is 0.5 g – 1000 mL with an acid concentration of 10% HF and 5% HNO3. I am using an HF resistant system on the ICP-MS.
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admin Total posts: 529

If your digestion is working then try adding triethanolamine (TEA) until the solution is approximately pH 8. Hopefully the W  will remain in solution along with the other analytes. You may wish to check with your instrument manufacturer about the possibility of TEA coating the ion optics, and if that may pose a concern.

Posted: 09/02/18 23:42:02

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