Use of thermal ionization isotope dilution mass spectrometry (TI-IDMS) as an oligo-element method for the determination of photographically relevant trace elements in AgCl emulsions

Thermal ionization isotope dilution mass spectrometry (TI-IDMS) was used as an oligo-element method for the determination of Cr, Cd and Pb in photographic AgCl emulsions. After addition of an appropriate amount of isotopically enriched spikes (53Cr, 116Cd and 206Pb) to the solid samples, the latter were completely dissolved in NH3 solution, permitting isotopic exchange to take place. Thereafter, AgCl was selectively removed by precipitation, whereby ultrasonic treatment was used to enhance the recovery of the elements of interest. Despite the use of concentrated HNO3 and H2O2 during further sample processing, preliminary experiments indicated the presence of a substantial remainder of the o…