PNNL

Abstract

The ability to measure europium and terbium may be confounded by the presence of other lanthanides when using spectroscopic techniques such as optical emission spectroscopy, especially at trace levels. Kinetic Phosphorescence Analysis (KPA) offers a method to avoid these interferences during trace level measurements. This study examined analysis parameters for Eu and Tb by testing the effects of different acids, molarities, and the use of a complexing agent to determine the ideal conditions and limits of detection for each analyte in samples containing various mixtures of lanthanides.