Analysis of Pure Scandium, Yttrium, and Their Oxides Using Methods of Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

The analytical possibilities of direct detection of rare earth and non-rare-earth impurities in pure scandium, yttrium, and their oxides using the ICP-AES and ICP-MS methods are investigated. The analytical lines and isotopes of the sought elements that are the most free from folding are selected. The effect of the sought impurities of the matrix elements on the analytical signal is studied. The detection and determination limits for impurities in scandium and yttrium are estimated. The lower limits of determining impurities in scandium, yttrium, and their oxides at the level of n x 10(4) mass fractions, %, are reached using the ICP-AES method; those at the level of n x 10(-6) mass fractions, %, are reached using the ICP-MS method. The joint application of the ICP-AES and ICP-MS methods for the analysis of standard specimens of yttrium and scandium oxide is implemented. The control of the validity is accomplished by comparing the obtained results with the certified values of standard specimens and by the method of addition.