CRM As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, Zn - Aqueous calibration solution ASTASOL® AN9085MCN

Significance of the Topic

Aqueous calibration standards are fundamental reference materials in analytical chemistry, supporting accurate quantification of trace metals in environmental, pharmaceutical and industrial samples. Certified reference materials (CRMs) with well-characterized concentrations and uncertainties enable method validation, interlaboratory comparability and regulatory compliance in atomic and molecular spectrometry.

Objectives and Study Overview

This certificate describes ASTASOL® AN9085MCN, a multi-element aqueous calibration solution produced by Analytika, spol. s r. o. The document aims to:

• Define the certified concentrations and uncertainties of 12 metal analytes at 20 °C.
• Summarize preparation, homogeneity, stability and traceability procedures.
• Provide guidance on storage, handling and intended analytical applications.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Preparation followed a gravimetric protocol using high-purity primary compounds (purity ≥ 99.5 %) dissolved in a matrix of 3 % HCl and 1 % HNO₃ in ultrapure water. Certification combined mass-based preparation with independent verification by:

• Gravimetric and titrimetric methods for As, Be, Mo, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg and other analytes.
• Instrumental techniques: AAS, AES, ICP-OES and ICP-MS calibrated against NIST SRMs and in-house CRMs.

Main Results and Discussion

Certified concentrations at 20 °C range from 2 mg/L for Cd and Hg to 200 mg/L for Pb and V, with expanded uncertainties (k = 2) below 0.5 %. Density is 1.0235 ± 0.0005 g/cm³. A detailed impurity profile by AAS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS confirms trace contaminant levels below detection limits, ensuring negligible matrix effects. Homogeneity and stability tests support a two-year shelf life when stored in closed original packaging at 5–30 °C.

Practical Benefits and Applications

ASTASOL® AN9085MCN is intended for calibration and validation of methods analyzing aqueous samples by:

• Atomic absorption and emission spectrometry (AAS, AES)
• ICP-OES and ICP-MS
• Molecular absorption spectrometry and selected electrochemical techniques

The precise values, traceability to SI units and low uncertainties facilitate compliance with QA/QC requirements in environmental monitoring, food safety and materials testing.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Growing demand for multi-element CRMs will align with advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry and micro-volume analysis. Future developments may include:

• Expanded analyte panels including rare earth elements.
• Lower concentration ranges for ultra-trace applications.
• Digital certification and blockchain-based traceability reporting.

Conclusion

ASTASOL® AN9085MCN offers a robust, traceable multi-element calibration solution with well-defined uncertainties and impurity profiles. Its comprehensive certification and clear handling instructions support reliable analytical performance across diverse spectrometric platforms.

Reference

SRM NIST 3103a, 3105a, 3112a, 3114, 3113, 3128, 3134, 3136, 3165, 3168a, NIST SRM 928.