ICP-MS determination of trace amounts of boron in high-purity quartz

Boron at parts per billion levels was determined in high-purity quartz usin g an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The loss of bor on due to volatilization during removal of the matrix was eliminated by add ing mannitol. The recovery of boron was established by comparing the values obtained by external calibration with those obtained by isotope dilution. Recoveries of boron of similar to 95% were obtained when the mannitol-to-bo ron ratio was more than 10 (w/w). Using this method, the boron content of a number of high-purity quartz samples was determined.