CRM Europium (Eu) - Aqueous calibration solution ASTASOL® AN90181N

Significance of the topic

Certified reference materials (CRMs) are essential for ensuring accuracy, reliability and traceability in quantitative analysis across various spectrometric and electroanalytical techniques.

Objectives and overview

This document summarises the certification details of ASTASOL® AN90181N, an aqueous calibration solution of europium at a nominal concentration of 1000 mg/L. The CRM is designed for calibration, validation and quality control in methods such as AAS, AES, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, molecular absorption and electrochemical analysis.

Methodology and instrumentation

The europium solution was prepared gravimetrically from high-purity Eu2O3 (99.996%) and acidified with ultrapure HNO3 to achieve SI traceability. The certified concentration and its expanded uncertainty (k=2) were verified by complexometric titration against SRM NIST 928. Homogeneity and stability studies ensured consistency over the shelf life.

Instrumental techniques used

• Gravimetric preparation with sub-boiled distilled HNO3
• Complexometric titration (traceability to NIST SRM 928)
• Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS)
• ICP optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES)
• ICP mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Key results and discussion

The CRM has a certified europium concentration of 1000 ± 2 mg/L (980 ± 3 mg/kg derived from density) at 20 °C. Density was determined as 1.0201 ± 0.0005 g/cm3. Trace impurities of over 60 elements were quantified by AAS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS, with all values below detection limits or at sub-ppm levels, confirming the high purity of the solution. Stability tests demonstrated consistent performance under proper storage conditions (5–30 °C) throughout the 5-year shelf life.

Benefits and practical applications

• Provides SI-traceable calibration for spectrometric and electroanalytical techniques
• Improves accuracy and comparability of analytical results
• Supports method validation and routine quality control in laboratories

Future trends and applications

Ongoing developments in CRM technology may include multi-element solutions, enhanced matrix complexity, digital certification and integration with automated laboratories and software for real-time traceability and data management.

Conclusion

ASTASOL® AN90181N offers a high-purity, SI-traceable europium calibration standard with well-defined uncertainty, proven homogeneity and stability. Its robust certification supports a wide range of analytical methods, enhancing reliability and quality assurance in routine and advanced laboratory applications.

References

• ISO Guide 31: Preparation of Reference Materials – Contents of Certificates and Labels
• NIST SRM 928: Europium Standard for Complexometric Titration