SPECTRAL-LINE SELECTION FOR DETERMINATION OF ZIRCONIUM, CERIUM, THORIUM AND TITANIUM BY INDUCTIVELY-COUPLED PLASMA-ATOMIC EMISSION-SPECTROMETRY IN ZIRCONIA-BASED CERAMIC MATERIALS

Sequential inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry was used to determine Ti and Th as minor elements and Zr and Ce as major elements in zirconia-based ceramics. Spectral interferences, matrix an d acid effects were studied for several Th, Ti, Zr and Ce wavelengths. A method was developed for the determination of both major and minor elements in the same solution. Limits of detection (LODs) for minor el ements in ceramic materials were 15 ppb for Th II 283.231 nm and 30 pp b for Th II 326.267 nm, 2 ppb for Ti II 334.941 nm and 336.121 nm. The se LODs were well below the required determination values for these tw o metals in their matrices. Decomposition of the samples with hydroflu oric, hydrochloric and sulfuric acids was adequate for the determinati on of all elements and good agreement with values for a Japanese sampl e of known composition was obtained.