An accurate procedure for the determination of low level of platinum-group elements in standard materials by neutron activation analysis

The paper describes a destructive neutron activation procedure for the determination of all platinum group elements (PGE). Only a few steps are required after irradiation, namely sample dissolution, osmium and ruthenium separation by solvent extraction, anion exchange separation of remaining noble metals and counting. The chemical yield is evaluated. The method has been used for the determination of noble metals in a large variety of standard reference materials, mainly of geological and technological origin. The results, given as the average of four independent analyses are reported and discussed. Average precision for the whole procedure is usually below 8% and sensitivities are adequate to meet the analysis requirements of terrestrial PGE- and Au-poor materials