Studies on monoxide flame emission spectrometry of rare-earth elements. Part 2. Determination of yttrium in rare-earth concentrates by the dual wavelength method

This paper reports the enhancement effect of La, Pr, Nd, Er and Yb on the determination of Y (0–400 μg ml−1) by air-acetylene flame monoxide flame emission spectrometry. The dual wavelength method (613.2 nm as the analytical wavelength and 612.9 nm as the reference wavelength) was used to eliminate spectral interference. A new method has been established for direct determination of Y (1% and 24%) in rare-earth concentrates, using La as enhancing agent and chemical interference inhibitor. The detection limit is 0.06 μg ml−1. The enhancement mechanism of La on Y was also studied by X-ray powder diffraction and infrared absorption spectrometry. The results showed that a compound of La and Y was formed at 600–700 dgC.