Quantitative analysis of neodymium, uranium, and palladium in nitric acid solution by reflection absorption spectrophotometry

Quantitative analysis of Nd, U, or Pd in 3 mol dm(-3) (M) HNO3 was performed by reflection absorption spectrophotometry at ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV/Vis/NIR) region. A sample chamber with optics for reflection measurement was designed and attached to a UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometer by optical fibers. The reflection absorbance showed linear relations with concentrations of Nd, U, and Pd at the absorbance region less than 0.1. The quantitative analysis was found to be possible for 3 M HNO3 solutions containing [Nd] similar to 0.2 M, [U] similar to 0.04 M, or [Pd] similar to 0.01 M.