Application of INAA complementary gamma ray photopeaks to the homogeneity study of a mussel candidate reference material

Abstract

Homogeneity study is one of the steps in reference material, RM, characterization. Due to its inherent characteristics, Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis, INAA, is an analytical technique of choice for homogeneity testing. An interesting possibility is the use of complementary gamma ray photopeaks to confirm INAA homogeneity test results. In this study, the use of the complementary gamma ray photopeaks of 110mAg, 82Br, 60Co, 134Cs, 152Eu, 59Fe, 140La, 233Pa (for Th determination), 46Sc and 75Se radionuclides was investigated in the between bottle homogeneity study of amussel candidate RMunderpreparationat IPEN–CNEN/SP. Although some photopeaks led to biased element content results, the use of complementary gamma ray photopeaks proved to be helpful in supporting homogeneity study conclusions for the new RM under characterization.