Effets de surface dans le dosage par activation neutronique du soufre

Surface effects in the determination of sulfur by neutron activation analysis Thermal neutron activation analysis leads to overestimated sulfur contents in some metals. This phenomenon was studied for samples of iron. It is attributed to ineffective chemical etching arising from dissolution of the metal through a surface layer which retains impurities, especially sulfur-35. Significant amounts of this isotope are produced at the surface through the 35 Cl(n, γ) 35 S reaction. Experimental modifications which lead to the correct sulfur concentration are proposed.