Determination of Platinum‐Group Elements and Gold in Geological Matrices by Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS) after Separation with Selenium and Tellurium Carriers

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Abstract
The present study describes a method for the extraction of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir and Au from various geological materials after fusion with sodium peroxide in zirconium crucibles involving samples that vary in mass from 1 g to more than 20 g. Precipitation is brought about by reduction of the platinum‐group elements (PGEs) with Sn2+, using selenium and tellurium as carriers in the presence of a catalyst (KI). The extraction yields obtained by this method are between 95 and 100% for PGEs. Gold is less well extracted (around 80%). Detection of the noble metals in the extraction residues is carried out by using ICP‐MS. The results obtained by this technique are reported for five CCRMP certified reference materials and are close to their certified values. The elements were also determined in a natural glass sample melted during a meteoritic impact and contaminated by PGEs at ultra‐trace concentrations.

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