Development and validation method for the determination of rare earth impurities in high purity neodymium oxide by ICP-MS

The analytical procedure for the determination of trace rare earth impurities in high purity neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) by ICP-MS is described. The effect of ICP-MS operating parameters on the REO(H)(+)/RE+ production ratio was studied in detail, and the optimal ICP operating conditions were established. In this context, the relationship between REO(H)(+)/RE+ production ratio and the bond strength of the rare earth oxides is also discussed briefly. For the correction of the spectral interference induced by the matrix (neodymium), a simple correction equation was used for correcting the interferences of the polyatomic ions NdO+ and NdOH+ with Tb-159 and Ho-165. The proposed method was applied to the determination of trace rare earth impurities in high purity Nd2O3\, and the analytical results were in good agreement with the recommended reference values.