Precise determination of the isotopic composition of Sn using MC-ICP-MS

Clayton, R. E.; Andersson, P.; Gale, N. H.; Gillis, Carole; Whitehouse, Martin J.

doi:10.1039/b205835a

Cited by 66 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…For Sn isotopic analysis, on the other hand, the choice of internal standard is limited to Sb, as other elements with masses close to those of Sn isotopes give rise to isobaric interferences with some of the Sn isotopes (e.g., 112,114,116 Cd,115 In, 120,122,124 Te) [55]. Also in this case and for all of the ratios monitored during a measurement session lasting 10-12 h, the correlation recorded in ln-ln space was excellent (see Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Copper and tin isotopic analysis of ancient bronzes for archaeological investigation: development and validation of a suitable analytical methodology

et al. 2012

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Although in many cases Pb isotopic analysis can be relied on for provenance determination of ancient bronzes, sometimes the use of "non-traditional" isotopic systems, such as those of Cu and Sn, is required. The work reported on in this paper aimed at revising the methodology for Cu and Sn isotope ratio measurements in archaeological bronzes via optimization of the analytical procedures in terms of sample pre-treatment, measurement protocol, precision, and analytical uncertainty. For Cu isotopic analysis, both Zn and Ni were investigated for their merit as internal standard (IS) relied on for mass bias correction. The use of Ni as IS seems to be the most robust approach as Ni is less prone to contamination, has a lower abundance in bronzes and an ionization potential similar to that of Cu, and provides slightly better reproducibility values when applied to NIST SRM 976 Cu isotopic reference material. The possibility of carrying out direct isotopic analysis without prior Cu isolation (with AG-MP-1 anion exchange resin) was investigated by analysis of CRM IARM 91D bronze reference material, synthetic solutions, and archaeological bronzes. Both procedures (Cu isolation/no Cu isolation) provide similar δ 65 Cu results with similar uncertainty budgets in all cases (±0.02-0.04 per mil in delta units, k02, n0 4). Direct isotopic analysis of Cu therefore seems feasible, without evidence of spectral interference or matrix-induced effect on the extent of mass bias. For Sn, a separation protocol relying on TRU-Spec anion exchange resin was optimized, providing a recovery close to 100 % without oncolumn fractionation. Cu was recovered quantitatively together with the bronze matrix with this isolation protocol. Isotopic analysis of this Cu fraction provides δ 65 Cu results similar to those obtained upon isolation using AG-MP-1 resin. This means that Cu and Sn isotopic analysis of bronze alloys can therefore be carried out after a single chromatographic separation using TRU-Spec resin. Tin isotopic analysis was performed relying on Sb as an internal standard used for mass bias correction. The reproducibility over a period of 1 month (n042) for the mass bias-corrected Sn isotope ratios is in the range of 0.06-0.16 per mil (2 s), for all the ratios monitored.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Copper and tin isotopic analysis of ancient bronzes for archaeological investigation: development and validation of a suitable analytical methodology

et al. 2012

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“…Although Loss et al (1990) observed small excesses of minor Sn isotopes in acid-etched residues, the discrepancy was attributed to analytical problems. At the same time, the variation in natural Sn isotope compositions in terrestrial samples has been of great interest to geochemists Jeffery, 1965, 1967;Rosman and McNaughton, 1987;McNaughton and Loss, 1990;McNaughton and Rosman, 1991;Clayton et al, 2002;Haustein et al, 2010). Among these studies, Haustein et al (2010) reported the largest Sn isotopic variation analysis for cassiterite samples by using MC-ICP-MS, with a view to future applications of Sn isotopes within archaeology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The hydride formation rate estimated from a signal at mass of 125 and that of 124 Sn was less than 6 × 10 -6 . We also added a standard solution of Sb for mass bias correction (Clayton et al, 2002) such that the Sb concentration was 30 ppb.…”

Section: Tin Isotope Measurements By Mc-icp-msmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We also used the standard reference material 3161a (Lot#070330) provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) to examine the long-term reproducibility of isotope measurement. In addition, a Sb standard solution (Cat#PLSB7-2Y, Lot#13-134SB; SPEX CertiPrep) was used to correct for mass biases in Sn isotope analysis using MC-ICP-MS (Clayton et al, 2002).…”

Section: Standard Solutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although Sn is treated with hydrochloric acid, careful handling is required when evaporating the solution because stannic chloride (SnCl 4 ) vaporizes at 114°C (e.g., Lide, 1993Lide, -1994, which could cause loss of Sn. Thus far, alkali fusion techniques (Hall, 1980;Sear, 1997) and the reduction of Sn by graphite (Hall, 1980;Clayton et al, 2002) were used for decomposing the minerals. These methods are conducted under an open environment and require a high temperature of about 1200°C, which may cause loss of volatile tin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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