Abstract:
When determining Ag in geochemical exploration samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), the molecular ions
91Zr
16O and
93Nb
16O can seriously interfere with the isotopes
107Ag and
109Ag and need to be separated out to obtain accurate results. The application of P
507 levextrel resin to separate the interfering elements of Zr and Nb was recently successfully conducted to in the determination of Ag in exploration samples. In this study, this method was improved by using P
507 loaded foam to absorb the interference elements with vibration and in measuring Ag, W and Mo by ICP-MS. The sample was digested by HF, HNO
3, HClO
4 and reverse aqua regia in an open system. The results of reference materials agree well with the certified values. The detection limits of Ag, W and Mo are 0.0045 μg/g, 0.023 μg/g, 0.060 μg/g, respectively, which are lower than the detection limits of multi-target geochemical exploration (1: 250000). The proposed method is more simple and rapid than the method of P
507 levextrel resin and can be used for routine determination of Ag, W, Mo and trace elements in large amounts of geochemical exploration samples.