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Himalayan Geology, Vol. 31
(1), 2010, pp. 23-27, Printed in India
Determination of palladium and platinum in Refractory samples with
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) using Improved NiS
Fire Assay
P.P. KHANNA, N. SIVA SIDDAIAH
Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehra Dun-248 001, India
Abstract: A rapid and effective method with ICP-MS is developed for
the determination of PGE in refractory standard reference samples (CHR-Pt+
and PTC-1) following improved nickel sulfide (NiS) fire assay
preconcentration. Flux composition, flux to sample ratio, mass of nickel
collector, and fusion conditions were established for successful fusion of
chromitite and sulfide-rich samples. NiS beads were dissolved in aqua-regia
and the solutions with no further preconcentration/separation were analyzed
for palladium and platinum against synthetic standard solutions. The results
obtained for the reference materials (CHR-Pt+, PTC-1 and WITS-1) are in
agreement with the reported/certified values. About 90% recovery of these
elements was obtained by technical improvements including sample fusion
under reducing conditions. The procedure is relatively simple and can be
applied to the analysis of refractory samples such as chromite and sulfide
ores.
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