Effect of sample containers on the EDXRF determination of uranium in aqueous solutions

Abstract

The utility of plastic/glass containers in place of regular sample cups made of high density polyethylene for the EDXRF determination of uranium has been examined. A series of uranium solution standards have been prepared and calibrated using different containers. For U solution in plastic cups with thin mylar film base, linearity between U L<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif' border=0> X-ray intensity and its concentration is observed upto U <img src='http://www.niscair.res.in/jinfo/lessequals.gif' border=0>20 mg/mL; for higher concentrations, non-linear trend is observed, indicating matrix absorption effects. For U solution in plastic vials, similar behaviour is observed, with reduced matrix absorption. In the case of U solutions in sealed plastic vials, the reduction in the intensities of U X-rays of standard solutions is about 30-70% of those for U in unsealed vials. In the case of glass vials, the intensity of U X-ray peak decreases drastically as compared to that for U in plastic cups with thin mylar film base. The present study suggest the utility of sealed plastic vials for the fast preliminary determination of uranium in low active process / laboratory waste solutions with a precision of about 5-15%.

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