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The determination of molybdenum in geological samples by Neutron Activation Analysis

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Abstract

A metal-silicate extraction technique combined with neutron activation analysis has been developed to determine molybdenum in geological samples. The samples are equilibrated with Femetal powder at high temperatures. Molybdenum is completely extracted into the metal phase because of very reducing conditions in the furnace. The metal spherule is separated from the silicates, irradiated and dissolved in an acid solution. The molybdenum is precipitated as a sulfide and the precipitate is dissolved in aqua regia and counted on a Ge/Li/detector. The radiochemical yield is obtained by irradiation of the solution. The method avoids production of99Mo from induced fission of235U by performing the metal-silicate separation before irradiation. The precipitation step may be necessary to remove the high background from the decay of59Fe. Mo concentrations down to 15 ng/g have been obtained using this method.

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Author notes

  1. H. E. Newsom

    Present address: Institute of Meteoritics and Department of Geology, University of New Mexico, 87131, Albuquerque, NM, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie, Saarstrasse 23, D-6500, Mainz, FRG

    H. E. Newsom & H. Palme

Authors
  1. H. E. Newsom
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  2. H. Palme
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Newsom, H.E., Palme, H. The determination of molybdenum in geological samples by Neutron Activation Analysis. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Letters 87, 273–282 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02165933

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02165933

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