Isotopic spike 190Os as internal standard and empirical coefficient LA-ICP-MS combined with Sb fire assay for the determination of ultra-trace platinum group elements in geochemical samples.

Abstract

In this work, a novel method of antimony fire assay (Sb-FA) enrichment combined with laser ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) for the determination of ultra-trace platinum group elements (PGEs) in geological samples was established. The purification and recycling technology of ultra-clean and high-purity fire assay collector Sb₂O₃ was proposed, in addition, high-purity quartz crucible was developed to replace the usual clay crucible, then the blank values of PGEs were as low as 0.0007-0.0028 ng g^-1 (for 20 g sample). ¹⁹⁰Os isotopic diluent was used as internal standard (IS) and quantitatively added into the fire assay ingredients, and fully mixed and balanced with the PGEs in the real samples by means of high temperature melting, cupellation and horizontal rotation of crucible and dish. Both ¹⁹⁰Os and PGEs in the real sample were pre-concentrated in microgram level Sb granules (100 mg) through Sb-remaining cupellation. After grinding and polishing, ¹⁹⁵Pt, ¹⁰⁵Pd, ¹⁰¹Ru, ¹⁰³Rh, ¹⁹³Ir, total ¹⁸⁹Os and ¹⁹⁰Os enriched in Sb slices were determined by LA-ICP-MS, ¹⁹⁰Os in the internal standard was calculated by isotope dilution equations. The Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for PGEs were treated by the same procedure to obtain completely matrix matched Sb slices to solve the problem of no internationally recognized uniform PGEs standard materials for LA-ICP-MS determination. Due to the similar distribution trends of different PGEs in Sb slices by LA-ICP-MS imaging, then matrix-matched internal standard calibration strategy was used to reduce the element fractionation effect and improve the determination precision and accuracy of LA-ICP-MS. The laser frequency, energy density, denudation diameter and dwell times were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, empirical coefficient method was used to fit the standard curve and excellent curve fitting of PGEs were obtained with the correlation coefficient between 0.9990 and 0.9999. The method detection limits (LODs) for PGEs ranged from 0.00042 to 0.010 ng g^-1. The established method was successfully applied to analyze real geochemical samples and various matrix Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) domestic and international, the determined values were in good agreement with the results of Sb-FA ICP-MS and the certified values.