About this Research Topic
Due to the electron configuration, rare earth elements (REEs) – including Y, Sc, and lanthanides – show general similarities and some variation in physical and chemical properties. As a set of elements, REEs are popular research subjects in geochemistry, marine chemistry, and environmental chemistry. As individual elements with unique physical properties, REEs are indispensable materials in modern industry, especially for the semiconductor industry. Consequently, analytical chemistry of REEs contributes to the development of various research fields such as geology, oceanography, environmental sciences, and material sciences. Quantitative analysis of the whole set of REEs is challenging work in analytical chemistry.
REEs are studied in various research fields, where the samples have different compositions with much higher concentrations of matrix elements such as Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Fe and Ba in comparison to those of REEs. These co-existing matrix elements affect the analysis of REEs due to spectral and non-spectral interferences. Therefore, accurate analysis of REEs often require special strategies to remove or cancel these interferences.
By including recent advances of analytical techniques based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), state-of-the-art for REEs analysis can help the readers to establish and/or improve their own analytical techniques.
Sample pretreatment techniques such as coprecipitation, solvent extraction, and solid phase extraction can be effective to separate REEs from the matrix elements. Latest ICP-MS instruments provide more choices for separating spectral interferences in REEs analysis. In addition, REEs analysis in various research fields can provide not only the latest observations about REEs but also stimulate further development of REE analytical techniques.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• ICP-MS based analytical techniques for REEs
• XRF based analytical techniques for REEs
• LIBS based analytical techniques for REEs
• Calibration strategy for quantitative analysis of REEs
• Development of reference material for REEs analysis
• Devices and protocols for pretreatment of samples for REEs analysis
• REEs analysis in geochemistry
• REEs analysis in marine chemistry
• REEs analysis in environmental chemistry
• REEs analysis in pharmaceutical chemistry
• REEs analysis in material sciences
REEs are studied in various research fields, where the samples have different compositions with much higher concentrations of matrix elements such as Na, K, Mg, Ca, Al, Fe and Ba in comparison to those of REEs. These co-existing matrix elements affect the analysis of REEs due to spectral and non-spectral interferences. Therefore, accurate analysis of REEs often require special strategies to remove or cancel these interferences.
By including recent advances of analytical techniques based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), state-of-the-art for REEs analysis can help the readers to establish and/or improve their own analytical techniques.
Sample pretreatment techniques such as coprecipitation, solvent extraction, and solid phase extraction can be effective to separate REEs from the matrix elements. Latest ICP-MS instruments provide more choices for separating spectral interferences in REEs analysis. In addition, REEs analysis in various research fields can provide not only the latest observations about REEs but also stimulate further development of REE analytical techniques.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• ICP-MS based analytical techniques for REEs
• XRF based analytical techniques for REEs
• LIBS based analytical techniques for REEs
• Calibration strategy for quantitative analysis of REEs
• Development of reference material for REEs analysis
• Devices and protocols for pretreatment of samples for REEs analysis
• REEs analysis in geochemistry
• REEs analysis in marine chemistry
• REEs analysis in environmental chemistry
• REEs analysis in pharmaceutical chemistry
• REEs analysis in material sciences
Keywords: rare earth elements, anomaly, analysis, spectral interferences, tracer
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
