Comparison of k0 NAA analysis results of four different reference materials using six various materials for comparator factor calculation

This study compares the analytical performance of several existing materials as k0-NAA comparator materials (Al-0.1 % Au, Al-0.1 % Ag, Al-1.0 % Co and Al-2.0 % Sc) with the new Al-0.1 % Au material (ERM-EB530). Trace elements in four reference materials (bakelite, fly ash, biological tissue and sediments) were analysed by k0-NAA using IRMM-530, IRMM-530R, ERM-EB530, IRMM-533, IRMM-528R and IRMM-534 as comparator material. The different k0-NAA comparators gave reliable, precise and accurate results for all elements and matrices. The study demonstrated that the new Al-0.1 % Au comparator (ERM-EB530) is fit for k0-NAA and that switching from IRMM-530 or IRMM-530R to ERM-EB530 should not lead to changes in k0-NAA results