Determination of trivalent europium using flow injection chemiluminescence method

A simple flow injection chemiluminescence (CL) analysis method for the determination of europium in mineral samples is reported. It is based on luminescence produced by NaIO4–H2O2 CL system sensitized by [Eu(EDTA)]-. The relative chemiluminescence intensity of the Eu3+–EDTA–NaIO4–H2O2 system is proportional to the amount of Eu3+. The optimized experimental conditions were investigated. The linear range and detection limit for Eu3+ are 2.0×10^-7 to 1.0×10^-5 and 6.2×10^-8 M, respectively. The sample throughput of the method is 80 samples/h. This method was successfully applied to the determination of europium in rare earth oxides. And the mechanism of chemiluminescence is proposed.