A simple and fast method for measurement of elemental impurities in powdered U-oxide materials by means of ns-UV laser ablation coupled to a sector-field ICP-MS.

The determination of elemental impurities in uranium ore concentrates (UOCs) is of great importance in the fields of nuclear forensics and nuclear safeguards and more generally for the nuclear industry. To avoid the use of chemical reagents, prevent waste generation, and reduce the duration of the analysis, a simple method based on sample preparation involving the conversion of UOCs into glass beads by alkaline fusion followed by direct measurement by laser ablation—sector-field ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) is proposed. External calibration was performed with a mix of UOCs and geological standard reference materials. Accurate results were obtained for most of the 48 elements of interest in six UOC materials. The lowest detection limits are in the ng g−1 range. With this method, concentrations of a wide range of elements can be determined within 24 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]