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Accurate method of rhodium analysis

2007

Hi

My company is a manufacture of Electroplating chemistries and a Precious Metal Refiner. We are a member of the AESF and subscribe to Metal Finishing.

With the ever-increasing price of Rhodium we are looking for a very accurate method of Rhodium Analysis...Years ago before AA and ICP we used a method developed by Dr. D.G. Foulke who was a research chemist for Sel-Rex, OMI, (now Enthone).

The process was to reduce the Rhodium from a sulphate solution using hydrazine sulphate or oxalic acid..can't remember which. and fire the percipate under hydrogen in a crucible and weigh the Rh as metal..Do you have any information on this analysis? or a method to do Rh by ICP or AA. We find all the instrumentation results to be high..Fire assy, even by the best umpires are not consistent..

Best Regards
Jerry Smith

Gerald A Smith Jr
- Seminole, Florida

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Gerald,

Have you tried using matrix matched standards for AA? Many components of a treatment system can have an effect on the overall reading you obtain (either supression or enhancement) so if you are using a complex mixture (as many plating solutions are) then it is advisable to matrix match standards.

Brian Terry
Aerospace - Yeovil, Somerset, UK
2007

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2007

Jerry -

You should be able to analyze dissolved Rhodium by ICP depending on how low you feel the concentration might be.

As far as accuracy is concerned - if you run the method of standard additions that should help you with matrix matching problems.

Terry

Terry Tomt
- Auburn, Washington

Q. dear sir,

How to analyse rhodium in anode slime samples? In anode slime its range should be 1-5 ppm (I don't know but I guess).
Please tell me correct procedure to analyse Rh in slime samples.

Manikandan
- Tuticorin, Tamilnadu, India
August 30, 2012