Chemical Stability and Compatibility

Is it possible to mix Oxalic acid and hydrochloric acid?

Instrument: ICP-OES Wavelength: Sb206.834 and Sb217.582 Product: CGSB1-125ml LOT# N2-SB665459 and P2-SB676727 the intensity of 1 and 10ppm Antimony solution from IV increased gradually when repeat injection from same solution. others element are fine. Inorganic Ventures 10ppm in Matrix is 0.07N + 0.8%HNO3 Inorganic Ventures 1ppm in Matrix is 0.07N + 0.08%HNO3 LOT# N2-SB665459 Trial 1: 2256 Trial 2: 2415 Trial 3: 2633 Trial 4: 2858 Trial 5: 3070 Trial 6: 3260 Trial 7: 3376 Trial 8: 3520 LOT# P2-SB676727 Trial 1: 2525 Trial 2: 2826 Trial 3: 3035 Trial 4: 3262 Trial 5: 3394 Trial 6: 3496 Trial 7: 3564 Trial 8: 3605

In an analytical sequence on ICP OES we observed that the internal standard ratio is not stable and it gradually increases with progress in analytical sequence. So for example if I start sequence with Y count ratio as 1 gradually it increases to 1.04. Suprisingly when a new sequence is created with fresh calibration again the Y count ratio comes back to its original value of 1.0.

I am developing a method for a 24 ICH metal analysis of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose.  I cannot get Os spikes to recover and I understand it is because we are microwave digesting the sample in HNO3.  From everything I've read on your site and others, the problem is osmium tetroxide formation.  However, the only thing that's going to digest the sample is an oxidizing acid (as far as I know).  I'm sure HClO4 or H2SO4 will be just as detrimental.  I can't get it into solution with just HCl.  Everyone says use an HCl matrix with Os but how do you reconcile that with a need to spike and then digest?  I can't digest in nitric and then dilute in HCl because the sample must be spiked before any preparation steps.  Thanks for any assitance!   Dan

I'll buy a new ICP-OES, I am going to use it mainly for analysis of drinking water, groundwater, sediments and soils, which brand and which model would you recommend?Kind RegardsHarry

In our preparation for ICP-MS analysis of USP <232> elements, we perform an intermediate dilution of a 14 element blend. This is a 1:20 dilution to give concentrations (ug/mL, ppm) as follows: Cu = 65, Ni = 30, Mo = 9, V = 6, Cd = 0.25, Hg = 0.75, Pb = 0.25, As = 0.75, Ir = 5, Pd = 5, Pt = 5, Rh = 5, Ru = 5, Co = 2.5. I have viewed information at http://inorganicventures.com/stability-elements-ppb-concentration-levels, which has pointed me in the right direction and is the kind of information I’m looking for, except that our intermediate is at much greater concentrations. I am wondering if you can provide any information regarding the stability of this solution in a 5% nitric acid (HNO3), 1% hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution? If possible, I'm also interested in stability information for a 10 ug/L (ppb) mixture of In, Bi, 6-Li, Y, Sc, and Tb in 3% HNO3.

I need to know the exact concentration of HF in the CGHF1, CGNB1, and CGTA1 standards and if I can mix the three solutions.

Are Mo and Ti are stable for any length of time without using HF? Also, what is meant by the term "trace HF"? I also have a question about mercury (Hg).I've noticed that hot block digestions of a clean acid-water matrix with an inorganic mercury standard added to a final concentration of 0.5ug/L, result in mercury recoveries ranging from 75-80%. Is inorganic mercury is volatile enough to explain such a loss?

We're working on a health problem that we assume was caused by an unidentified contaminant in ethanol. The ethanol was 96%, shipped in 50 gallon HDPE barrels, and then diluted with water to 36% for drinking. We wonder if a possible source for a toxic contaminant might be a substance in the polyethylene matrix. What substances present in HDPE could be leached out by 96% ethanol?

I am using CGPB1, a 1000 microgram/ml Pb standard, and I made up a set of standards to test for Pb in some water samples. My standards were 1, 0.5, 0.1, and 0.01 ppm. I acidified them with 2% v/v HNO3, the remainder being DI water. The standards seem to be extremely unstable, I can't get even a single sample run through my ICP with them. Any thoughts?