Determination of rare earth elements in geological samples by Icp-OES followed by ion exchange separation (abstract)

Present study was carried out to develop a procedure for the chemical separation of rare earth elements (Rees) from major matrix elements using the cation exchange resin column and their quantitative determination by Icp-Oes. The standard reference samples with different concentrations of rare earth elements were prepared using analytical grade standards of rare earth elements (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sc, Y) and major matrix elements (Al, B, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Si) in 1n HCl media. Sample solutions were passed through pre equilibrated strongly acidic cation-exchange resin (Dowex 50w X 8). Major matrix elements were eluted with 2n HCl And HNO/sub 3/ whereas Rees (La, Co, Pr, Nd, Eu, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sc, Y) were eluted from the resin using 6 To 8n HNO/sub 3/. The proposed method separates the Rees quantitatively from most matrix constituents and greatly facilitates their rapid sequential analysis by ICP-OES. The results revealed usefulness of method for the 95-100% recovery of Rees and their determination up to 0.1 mu g/Ml in solutions of rare earth ores and other geological materials. (author)