Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)

Introduction

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) is one of the most sensitive analytical techniques used for the quantitative multi-element analysis of major, minor, and trace elements in samples from almost every conceivable field of scientific or technical interest. The technique of INAA measures the total amount of an element present in sample matrices without regard to chemical or physical form and without any pre-treatment of the sample. For certain elements, INAA offers sensitivities that are superior to those possible by other techniques; on the order of parts per billion or better. In addition to the elemental and isotopic analysis of samples, INAA permits the analysis of non-radioactive tracers introduced into biological, chemical, and/or industrial processes for process identification and optimization.

Neutron Irradiation & Activation

neutron activation process diagram — Fig #1 – Neutron activation process

The NAA laboratory at North Carolina State University utilizes the 1-MW PULSTAR Nuclear Reactor facility as an intense neutron source for the irradiation of client samples. During neutron irradiation, certain stable isotopes of elements that constitute the samples are transformed into radioactive isotopes by neutron capture (see Fig #1 above).

Activated trace ‘radioisotopes’ (e.g. As-76, Hg-197, Se-75, etc…) contained in the samples are analyzed and quantified by utilizing gamma spectrometry systems (see Fig#2) to measure gamma ray decay signatures. Nominal sensitivities for select elemental analysis are given under the applications section below.

Certified elemental standards, traceable standard reference material (SRM) controls, method blanks, and sample duplicates are processed along with client samples to maintain a high degree of quality assurance.

Advantages of using INAA

It is a multi-element technique capable of determining approximately 65 elements in many types of materials (see list of elements below*)
It is non-destructive and therefore, does not suffer from the errors associated with yield determinations;
It has very high sensitivities for most of the elements that can be determined by INAA – most detection limits range from ~0.05 to ~50 ppm (≤ 1 ppb for some high-purity materials)
It is highly precise and accurate;
It permits the analysis of samples ranging in volume from 0.1 ml to 20 ml, and in mass from ~0.001 gram to 10 grams depending on sample density.
Samples for INAA can be solids, liquids, gases, mixtures, and suspensions.

*Elements that may be analyzed via INAA include:
Ag, Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, In, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, & Zr.

INAA Services at PULSTAR

Neutron Activation Analysis are provided as a service at the NC State PULSTAR reactor labs. NC State offers pneumatic and long-term irradiation for trace element detection. Samples analyzed typically fall into one of the four general categories listed below. For informational purposes, sample plots including detection limit (MDL) data have been attached for select elements in certain sample matrices.

Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Samples:

Agricultural products, benthic organisms, biological tissues & fluids (blood, hair, nails, organs, urine), bone, fertilizer, fish (tissue and eggs), food products, forensic samples, plants, sediment, sludges, vegetation, water, wood.