CRM Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Ti, Zn - Aqueous calibration solution ASTASOL® AN9093MN

Importance of Aqueous Calibration Solutions

Aqueous multi-element calibration standards are fundamental tools for ensuring the accuracy, traceability and comparability of analytical results in atomic and molecular spectrometry. Certified reference materials (CRMs) like ASTASOL® AN9093MN provide validated concentrations and uncertainty data that support quality assurance, method validation and regulatory compliance across environmental, pharmaceutical, food and industrial laboratories.

Objective and Overview of the Certificate

This document summarizes the certification of ASTASOL® AN9093MN, an aqueous calibration solution containing 15 key metals at 100.0 mg/L each in 5 % HNO₃. Produced by Analytika, spol. s r.o. (Reference Materials Producer No. 7501), this CRM is accredited under ISO 17034:2017 and follows ISO Guide 31. The certificate describes composition, traceability, uncertainty, homogeneity, stability, storage and intended use.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The calibration solution was prepared gravimetrically using high-purity starting materials (metal elements or compounds with purities ≥ 99.98 %) and sub-boiling distilled nitric acid in ultrapure water (resistivity ≥ 18 MΩ·cm). Density was measured at 20 °C to derive mass fractions. Certified values were assigned through:

• Gravimetric preparation with SI-traceability to the kilogram.
• Primary analytical verification (gravimetry, complexometric titration with EDTA).
• Instrumental confirmation by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), atomic emission spectrometry (AES), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), calibrated against independent SRMs (e.g., NIST SRMs, in-house CRMs).

Main Results and Discussion

The certified concentration of each element (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Ti, Zn) is 100.0 mg/L with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of ± 0.2 mg/L at 20 °C. The corresponding mass fraction is 96.9 mg/kg ± 0.3 mg/kg, accounting for solution density (1.0324 g/cm³ ± 0.0005). Homogeneity testing and stability studies confirm uniform composition and guaranteed shelf life of five years when stored unopened between 5 °C and 30 °C. Detailed impurity screening by AAS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS reveals trace levels of other elements below specified detection limits, provided for user information but not for calibration.

Benefits and Practical Applications

ASTASOL® AN9093MN facilitates:

• Calibration of atomic spectrometric methods (AAS, AES, ICP-OES, ICP-MS) for multi-element determination.
• Validation and routine quality control in laboratories performing environmental, clinical, food or industrial analyses.
• Traceability to SI units and reference to international SRMs, supporting regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Future Trends and Opportunities

As analytical demands evolve, next-generation CRMs may incorporate:

• Broader suites of analytes including metalloids and rare earths.
• Alternative matrices (e.g., organic solvents, slurries) for emerging techniques.
• Digital data integration with LIMS and AI-driven method optimization.
• Miniaturized packaging for reduced waste and micro-volume applications.

Conclusion

ASTASOL® AN9093MN is a robust, SI-traceable multi-element aqueous CRM designed for accurate calibration, method validation and quality assurance in atomic spectrometry. Its well-characterized composition, documented uncertainty, proven stability and alignment with international standards make it a reliable product for diverse analytical laboratories.

Reference

• NIST SRM 928 – Multi-Element Standards
• NIST SRM 3101a, 3104a, 3108, 3109a – Single-Element Solutions
• NIST SRM 3112a, 3113, 3114 – Instrumental Calibration Standards
• NIST SRM 3131a, 3132, 3136, 3128 – Titrimetric and Gravimetric References
• NIST SRM 3152a, 3168a – ICP-OES and ICP-MS Standards