Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
8043207 Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 2013 5 Pages PDF
Abstract
Quartz extraction and purification is essential for the successful measurement of 10Be and 26Al by AMS for exposure dating. The common procedure involves repetitive etching by ultrasonic heating and agitation in a dilute aqueous HF solution (2% w/w), which has proven adequate for quartz rich rock (i.e., granite, quartzite). We have developed an alternative method using hot phosphoric acid (250 °C), which preferentially dissolves silicates but not quartz. This method is particularly effective on samples with very low quartz abundance or with cryptocrystalline silica (i.e., greywacke, silcrete, chert) to enhance quartz recovery. We describe the method in detail and present data that compares the efficiency and the benefits of the two methods.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Materials Science Surfaces, Coatings and Films
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