Innovative high-temperature ammonium bifluoride fusion and rapid analysis of elements with nuclear forensic value

Novel and rapid NH4HF2 assisted KH2PO4 fusion of pegmatite ores bearing refractory minerals for multi-element determination by atomic spectrometry

“…Zhang et al 15 demonstrated that ABF can be effectively used for digestion in open and closed vessel processes. ABF has already been applied to various refractory mineral bearing ores such as Nb–Ta rich (coltan) ores, 16 rutile, ilmenite, and perovskite Ti-rich minerals; 17 post-detonation nuclear forensic analysis; 18 trinitrite samples; 19 forensic nuclear debris; 20 zircon; 21 and scheelite. 22 However, ABF can only decompose silicate-bound tin 23 in geological rock samples, whereas mineral cassiterite remains unattacked by any acid or the combination of HF–HNO 3 /HCl–HClO 4 .…”