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Effect of non‑conventional and gaseous elements on the purity of gold and silver

  • English Author:
  • Hong Bo1,2, Chen Yonghong1,2, Lu Xingen1,2, Su Guangdong1,2, Yang Xing1,2

  • Unit:
  • (1. Changchun Gold Research Institute Co., Ltd.; 2. National Quality Inspection and Testing Center for Gold and Silver Products (Changchun))
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Abstract:

 National and industry standard methods such as X-ray Huorescence spectrometry, Hlame atomic absorp-tion spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry, and fire assay gravimetry are commonly used to detect the purity of gold and silver raw materials and products. However, these methods only cover around 20 conven-tional major and impurity elements, while there are no standard methods or literature reports available for gaseous or certain non-conventional elements. This study employed a combination of detection techniques, including fire assay gravimetry, glow discharge mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, inert gas fusion-infrared absorptien thermal conductivity method, comb stion infrared method, and thermogravimetric analysis to detect non-conventional  and gaseous elements that affect the purity of gold and silver. Results show that different national and industry standard methods yield varying purity results for the same gold and silver samples of conventional purity. Fire assay gravimetry is preferred for determining the gold content. For gold materials and products with gold content greater than 99.95 %, the main content should first be determined by fire assay gravimetry; if it meets the required standard, conventional methods for detecting impurities can be used to calculate the final purity by subtraction. During the subtraction process, possible introduction of non-conventional elements during raw material sourcing and production must be fully considered.

Keywords:

gold product; silver product; non‑conventional element; gaseous element; purity; analytical method; glow discharge mass spectrometry