Analytical Sciences

Determination of Isotopic Ratio of Boron in Boric Acid Using Laser Mass Spectrometry

Periasamy MANORAVI, Mathew JOSEPH, Natrajan SIVAKUMAR, and Rajagopalan BALASUBRAMANIAN

Fuel Chemistry Division, Chemistry Group, India Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam-603 102, India

A reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer (RTOFMS) with a laser ablation ion source was used to determine the isotopic ratio of ¹⁰B/¹¹B present in boric acid solutions, using graphite as the matrix. The atom % ¹⁰B values obtained were within ±1% of the actual ones. The determination of the boron isotopic ratio using this method is, in comparison to other methods, faster, less expensive and easier to perform. The results are compared with the values determined using thermal ionization mass spectrometry.

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