Determination Of Trace Elements In Glass By Activation Analysis Using Hydrated Antimony Pentoxide For Sodium Removal.

The determination of trace elements by neutron activation analysis in the presence of sodium in impracticable because of the existence of isotope 24Na which has a long decay time, compared with those of some of the trace elements possibly present. This information about short lived isotopes such as 64Cu, 72Ga, and 56Mn might be lost. The use of columns of hydrated antimony pentoxide (H.A.P) for the removal of sodium from a glass decomposition solution is described. The H.A.P. retains very few of the trace elements, only tantalum-182 and scandium-46 being mentioned here. The determination of concentrations as low as p.p.b. in the affluent samples from the H.A.P columns is described