Scandium, trace analysis

Panday, V. K., Becker, J. S.,and Dietze, H.J. (1995). Trace analysis of rare earth elements and other impurities in high purity scandium by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after liquid-liquid extraction of the matrix. Fresenius J.Anal. Chem. 352(3—4), 327. 

The name is derived from the Latin Scandia, the name of Scandinavia. Mendeleev predicted the existence of the element as eka-boron. It was discovered by Lars Fredrick Nilson (1840-1899) in 1878 when he was investigating trace elements in euxenite and gadolinite. Metallic scandium was first prepared in 1937. Spectroscopic analysis has shown that scandium is present in the sun and other stars. Blue beryl may be colored because of scandium. The silvery metallic element is used in high-intensity lighting. 

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was used for the determination of most major and trace elements. The samples are fused in a Claisse semi-automatic fusion device in Pt-Au crucibles with lithium metaborate (4). The fusion product is dissolved in diluted HNO and brought to volume. For trace elements determination the sample is decomposed by HF, HNOg and HCIO. Scandium serves as an internal standard and is added to all samples and solutions. The instrument (product of Jobin Yvon, France)is calibrated using multi-element synthetic standards. The aqueous solutions are nebulized and injected into the heart of a plasma fire ball. A computerized multi-channel vacuum spectrometer has been programmed for multi-element analysis. 

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