In the present paper,by using whole-spectrum ICP-AES analysis, the optimal experiment conditions for the
simultaneous determination
of Zr and Nb in low-alloy steel have been studied. The experiment factors including the method for dissolving sample, spectra of analyzed element, interference of coexsting elements, the background correction and instrument parameters (e.g. RF power, nebulizer pressure and lifting capacity of pump etc.) have been investigated. The sample is prepared by fuming the mixture of sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid after dissolving the sample in diluted sulfuric acid. A simple, fast and effective analytical method for the
simultaneous determination of
zirconium and niobium has been established. Results of the proposed method demonstrated that the analytical error and precision for the determination of Zr and Nb accord with what the National Standards GB223.30-94 and GB223.39-95 required. Detection limits for both of Zr and Nb are 0.0008%, and the determination range are 0.001%-0.500% for both.