Study on instrumental neutron activation analysis of aluminium in geological and biological reference materials

摘要

The determinations of Al are of great interet in the environmental and biomedical studies as well as in the evaluation of the economic potential in ore prospecting programs. Reliable determinations of this element by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) have been a challenge for several researchers. The major difficulties are the interferences of P and Si that form ~(28)Al, the same radioisotope used in the analysis of Al. The elements Na and Cl can also interfere with the detection of Al, when they are present in large quantities. The detection of Al is often masked by high radio-activites of ~(24)Na and ~(38)Cl. This work presents results of Al determinations in several kinds of biological and geological reference materials and the results indicate a good agreement with the certified values. In some samples, the contribution of P and Si interferences were considered in the Al determination by using correction factors determined experimentally. The detection limit values in Al determinations were also evaluated.