BARC/PUB/10//0409

 
 

Determination of ultratrace boron concentrations in uranium oxide by isotope dilution-thermal ionization mass spectrometry using a simplified separation procedure

 
     
 
Author(s)

Rao, R. M.; Parab, A. R.; Bhushan, K. S.; Aggarwal, S. K.

ABSTRACT

Abstract: Boron was determined at sub-ppm levels in uranium oxide by ID-TIMS. Following nitric acid dissolution, a solvent extraction method was adapted for extraction of boron by 5% 2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol in chloroform followed by evaporation of the extractant in presence of sodium carbonate and mannitol. This procedure allowed TIMS analysis of boron by monitoring the Na2BO2+ ions formed from the sodium borate salt in the ion source. Reproducibility of about 1% was obtained for boron determination in the three different uranium oxide samples containing sub-ppm amounts of boron.

 
 
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