Direct Quantification of Major and Trace Elements in Geological Samples by Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry with a Pulsed Glow Discharge

AbstractA method has been developed for the determination of 24 elements (As, B, Ce, Co, Dy, Fe, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Nd, P, Pr, Rb, S, Sb, Si, Sm, Th, Ti, and U) in ore samples by pulsed direct current glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PGD-TOF-MS). Sample treatment consisted of pressing the powdered samples into 10 mm diameter aluminum tablets. Quantification was performed using relative sensitivity factors with iron as the normalization element. PGD-TOFMS has low spectral interferences and low limits of detection and provides the quantification of the wide range of elements with a single method instead of a combination of several techniques. The limits of detection of the designed method were in the range 2–4 × 10−6 mass %, depending on the element. The designed procedure was validated by the analysis of standard reference materials. The obtained results showed adequate repeatability (6–9% relative standard deviation), demonstrating high efficiency of the glow discharge mass spectro...