Determination of palladium by chemical neutron activation analysis using low energy photon spectrometry

A chemical neutron activation analysis method to determine trace amounts of palladium present in the uranium ores has been developed. Palladium was co ncentrated on an anionic exchanger to purify from large amounts of uranium, iron and copper that were present in the ore. The resin in which Pd was ad sorbed was neutron irradiated and the activation product Pd-109 was assayed through its daughter Ag-109m bq low energy photon spectrometry to estimate palladium. Both the 88 keV gamma-line and the 22 keV X-ray line (arising o ut of the internal transition Of Ag-109m) were used to arrive at the concen tration values by a standard comparison technique A thin window Si(Li) dete ctor and an HPGe detector were used for the radioactive assay. Detection li mits and the advantage of using the X-ray line of Ag over that of the gamma -line Here discussed. An absolute detection limit of 0.12 10(-9) g could be arrived at bq. the use of the 22.10 keV X-ray line in an interference-free condition.