Isotope Dilution Method for the Determination of Boron Content in Stainless Steel by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/ujpe70.12.867Keywords:
isotope dilution analysis, mass spectrometer, borated stainless steel, boron isotopesAbstract
To determine the boron content in borated samples of corrosion-resistant chromium-nickel stainless steel, the isotope dilution method is proposed, which is an internal standard method. The study was performed on 10 boron-alloyed stainless-steel samples with a natural isotope ratio using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. As an internal standard, elemental amorphous boron powder with a 10B isotope ratio up to 95.0% is used. For comparison, mass spectrometric measurements of the boron content in the same samples are additionally performed using the calibration solution method, which is an external standard method. In this case, the boron content is determined as the ratio of the boron intensity to the total intensity of all elements in the sample. It is found that the results of both internal and external standard methods are qualitatively identical. However, the isotope dilution method turned more accurate for determining elemental concentrations, and its results are not affected by non-spectral interferences associated with the drift of instrument sensitivity over time and the matrix effects, since the isotope ratio rather than the absolute isotope concentrations is measured.
References
1. J.A. Evans, M.D. DeHart, K.D. Weaver, D.D Keiser. Burnable absorbers in nuclear reactors - A review. Nucl. Eng. Design 391, 11176 (2022).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2022.111726
2. L. Desgranges, J.M. Escleine, P. Bienvenu et al. A new methodology for studying neutron absorber materials first results with boron carbide. Nucl. Instrum. Methods B 432, 42 (2017).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2018.07.011
3. Aly Saeed. Developed borated austenitic stainless steel alloys as nuclear reactor control rods. Nucl. Eng. Design 413, 112515 (2023).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2023.112515
4. S. Hafez, R.M. Elshazly, M.M. Eissa, S.U. El-Kameesy. High borated stainless-steel alloys for nuclear reactor domains. Arab J. Nucl. Sci. Appl. 54, 97 (2021).
https://doi.org/10.21608/ajnsa.2021.29519.1352
5. C. Kurta, L. Dorta, F. Mittermayr, K. Prattes et al. Rapid screening of boron isotope ratios in nuclear shielding materials by LA-ICPMS - a comparison of two different instrumental setups. J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 39, 185 (2014).
https://doi.org/10.1039/C3JA50194A
6. J. Wang, Y. Cui, J. Bai et al. Effect of B addition on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of S31254 super austenitic stainless steels after solid solution treatment. Mater. Lett. 252, 60 (2019).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2019.05.107
7. A.A. Babenko, R.R. Shartdinov, V.A. Salina et al. The effect of boron on the properties and structure of austenitic stainless steels. Metallurgist 68, 1032 (2024).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11015-024-01812-4
8. K.P. Jochum, B. Stoll, K. Herwig, M. Willbold. Validation of LA-ICP-MS trace element analysis of geological glasses using a new solid-state 193 nm Nd:YAG laser and matrix-matched calibration. J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 22, 112 (2007).
https://doi.org/10.1039/B609547J
9. N. Jakubowski. Analytical plasma ion sources for elemental mass spectrometry: where are we coming from-where are we going to? Anal. At. Spectrom 23, 673 (2008).
https://doi.org/10.1039/b717321k
10. D.V. Kutnii, D.D. Burdeynyi, S.A. Vanzha, N.V. Rud. Determination of 234U/238U, 235U/238U, 236U/238U isotope ratios in uranium oxide by sector-field ICP-MS. East Eur. J. Phys. 2, 104 (2020).
11. J. Lin, Y. Liu, Y. Yang, Z. Hu. Calibration and correction of LA-ICP-MS and LA-MC-ICP-MS analyses for element contents and isotopic ratios. Solid Earth Sci. 1, 5 (2016).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sesci.2016.04.002
12. S.S. Kasana, O.P. Pandey. Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of boron containing Ti-stabilized AISI-321 steel for nuclear power plant application. Mater. Today Commun. 26, 101959 (2020).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.101959
13. P. De Bievre, H. Peiser. Basic equations and uncertainties in isotope-dilution mass spectrometry for traceability to SI of values obtained by this primary method. Fresenius J. Anal. Chem. 359, 523 (1997).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s002160050625
14. P. Rodriguez-Gonzalez, J.M. Marchante-Gayon, J.I. Garcia-Alonso, A. Sanz-Medel. Isotope dilution analysis for elemental speciation: a tutorial review. Spectrochim. Acta B 60, 151 (2005).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sab.2005.01.005
15. P. Rodriguez-Gonzslez, J. Ignacio Garcia Alonso. Recent advances in isotope dilution analysis for elemental speciation. J. Anal. At. Spectrom 25, 239 (2010).
https://doi.org/10.1039/b924261a
16. R. Hoelzl, C. Hoelzl, L. Kotz et al. The optimal amount of isotopic spike solution for ultratrace analysis by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Accred Qual Assur. 3, 185 (1998).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s007690050219
17. A. Quemet, A. Hubert, A. Gourgiotis et al. An isotope dilution mass spectrometry overview: tips and applications for the measurement of radionuclides. J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 39, 1665 (2024).
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4JA00029C
18. J. Vogl. Characterization of reference materials by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 22, 475 (2007).
https://doi.org/10.1039/b614612k
19. A.M. Gaffney. Guideline on isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNLTR-731685 (2017).
https://doi.org/10.2172/1358328
20. J. Vogl, W. Pritzkow. Isotope dilution mass spectrometry - A primary method of measurement and its role for RM certification. Mapan - Journal of Metrology Society of India 25, 135 (2010).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12647-010-0017-7
21. P.P. Coetzee, L. Greeff, F. Vanhaecke. ICP-MS measurement of 11B/10B isotope ratios in grapevine leaves and the investigation of possible boron isotope fractionation in grapevine plants. S. Afr. J. Enol. Vitic. 32, 28 (2011).
https://doi.org/10.21548/32-1-1363
22. J.K. Aggarwal, K. Mezger, E. Pernicka, A. Meixner. The effect of instrumental mass bias δ 11B measurements: A comparison between thermal ionization mass spectrometry and multiple collector ICP-MS . Intern. J. Mass Spectr. 232, 259 (2004).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright Agreement
License to Publish the Paper
Kyiv, Ukraine
The corresponding author and the co-authors (hereon referred to as the Author(s)) of the paper being submitted to the Ukrainian Journal of Physics (hereon referred to as the Paper) from one side and the Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, represented by its Director (hereon referred to as the Publisher) from the other side have come to the following Agreement:
1. Subject of the Agreement.
The Author(s) grant(s) the Publisher the free non-exclusive right to use the Paper (of scientific, technical, or any other content) according to the terms and conditions defined by this Agreement.
2. The ways of using the Paper.
2.1. The Author(s) grant(s) the Publisher the right to use the Paper as follows.
2.1.1. To publish the Paper in the Ukrainian Journal of Physics (hereon referred to as the Journal) in original language and translated into English (the copy of the Paper approved by the Author(s) and the Publisher and accepted for publication is a constitutive part of this License Agreement).
2.1.2. To edit, adapt, and correct the Paper by approval of the Author(s).
2.1.3. To translate the Paper in the case when the Paper is written in a language different from that adopted in the Journal.
2.2. If the Author(s) has(ve) an intent to use the Paper in any other way, e.g., to publish the translated version of the Paper (except for the case defined by Section 2.1.3 of this Agreement), to post the full Paper or any its part on the web, to publish the Paper in any other editions, to include the Paper or any its part in other collections, anthologies, encyclopaedias, etc., the Author(s) should get a written permission from the Publisher.
3. License territory.
The Author(s) grant(s) the Publisher the right to use the Paper as regulated by sections 2.1.1–2.1.3 of this Agreement on the territory of Ukraine and to distribute the Paper as indispensable part of the Journal on the territory of Ukraine and other countries by means of subscription, sales, and free transfer to a third party.
4. Duration.
4.1. This Agreement is valid starting from the date of signature and acts for the entire period of the existence of the Journal.
5. Loyalty.
5.1. The Author(s) warrant(s) the Publisher that:
– he/she is the true author (co-author) of the Paper;
– copyright on the Paper was not transferred to any other party;
– the Paper has never been published before and will not be published in any other media before it is published by the Publisher (see also section 2.2);
– the Author(s) do(es) not violate any intellectual property right of other parties. If the Paper includes some materials of other parties, except for citations whose length is regulated by the scientific, informational, or critical character of the Paper, the use of such materials is in compliance with the regulations of the international law and the law of Ukraine.
6. Requisites and signatures of the Parties.
Publisher: Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Address: Ukraine, Kyiv, Metrolohichna Str. 14-b.
Author: Electronic signature on behalf and with endorsement of all co-authors.










