Pretreatment of samples for neutron activation analysis

A neutron activation analysis technique for the determination of trace elements in a salt matrix is described. The elements to be determined were separated and preconcentrated by the following two methods. (1) They were extracted into chloroform as APDC chelates. An aliquot of chloroform solution was dropped on a filter paper and dried. (2) They were electrolyzed onto graphite electrode for 5h at 3.5V. After preconcentration they were analyzed by neutron activation analysis. Six elements (Hg, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd and Au) were able to be determined by this method. This method was applied to determination of trace elements in commercial sodium cyanide. (author)