Gold and Platinum-Group Element Analysis of Geochemical and Platinum Reference Materials Using Fluoroxidation Decomposition

A novel method is described for the rapid dissolution of various geological, geochemical and related reference samples for the determination of Au and the platinum-group elements. The decomposition procedure is based on reaction with the fluoroxidants, liquid bromine trifluoride or molten potassium tetrafluorobromate. Results by this novel procedure are compared with data obtained by traditional methods of sample decomposition, including fire assay, autoclave techniques and an aqua regia leach. The oxidative fluorination procedure with the subsequent conversion of fluorocomplexes into the chloride form was found to be an effective and rapid method for the quantification of all the precious metals in a range of sample types.