Trace element characterization of high purity gallium

An ion exchange method is described for the quantitative separation of ca. twenty trace elements from high purity gallium metal. 0.5–2 g of matrix is dissolved and subjected to a separation procedure using an anion exchanger in hydrochloric acid followed by sodium hydroxide medium to preconcentrate the analytes. Desorbed analytes are then available for their quantification depending upon the availability of the technique and its sensitivity. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and neutron activation analysis techniques have been used for their final determination during this work. Most of the analytes found were in the ng g−1 range. Depending on the blank values, the reproducibility of the overall procedure is 2–10%. Separation of the matrix and recovery of the analytes were essentially complete as confirmed by standard addition of the analytes to the matrix and also by tracer studies.