ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 14 July 2011
Page Count: 10

Beryllium Measurement by Optical Fluorescence in Samples Contaminated by Strongly Fluorescent Impurities

Agrawal, Anoop
Berylliant Inc.,

Adams, Lori
Berylliant Inc.,

Agrawal, Akshay
Berylliant Inc.,

Cronin, John P.
Berylliant Inc.,

Lopez Tonazzi, Juan Carlos
Berylliant Inc.,

Duran, Brandy
Los Alamos National Laboratory,

(Received 4 October 2010; accepted 9 June 2011)

Abstract

A fluorescence method for determination of beryllium and beryllium oxide particles has been approved as a standard test method by ASTM International and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The procedure involves dissolution of samples in ammonium bifluoride solution and adding a small aliquot of extract to a basic hydroxybenzoquinoline sulfonate fluorescent dye and measuring itsfluorescence. This method is specific to beryllium and is not affected by the presence of other metals. However, the results from such a method may be compromised by organic fluorescent impurities which have optical characteristics similar to the beryllium-bonded hydroxybenzoquinoline sulfonate. This study demonstrates that such impurities can be effectively removed by activated charcoal without compromising the sensitivity of the method or any other test attributes.

Keywords:

Paper ID: JAI103411
DOI: 10.1520/JAI103411
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