CRM Yttrium (Y) - Aqueous calibration solution ASTASOL® AN7067N

Importance of the topic

This certified reference material (CRM) of yttrium in aqueous solution plays a critical role in maintaining accuracy and traceability across a wide range of analytical techniques. By providing a well‐characterized standard, laboratories can validate methods, calibrate instruments, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical quality control, and industrial analytics.

Study objectives and overview

The certificate describes the production and certification of ASTASOL® AN7067N, an aqueous calibration solution containing yttrium at 10.00 mg/L. Key objectives include establishing SI traceability, quantifying uncertainty, verifying homogeneity and stability, and documenting storage and handling conditions to guarantee reliable use over its two‐year shelf life.

Methodology and instrumentation

Certification was achieved through a gravimetric preparation ensuring direct traceability to the kilogram. Characterization and uncertainty evaluation involved:

• Complexometric titration against NIST SRM 928 reference standard
• Independent determination using NIST SRM 3167a
• Verification of trace impurities by AAS, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS (for user information only)

Storage and handling protocols specify temperature control (5–30 °C) and strict procedures for bottle opening, capping, and use to preserve homogeneity.

Results and discussion

The certified yttrium concentration is 10.00 ± 0.05 mg/L (k=2) at 20 °C, with density 1.0082 ± 0.0005 g/cm³. Gravimetric and titration approaches showed excellent agreement, confirming uncertainty budgets suitable for high‐precision atomic spectrometry. Trace element screening confirmed impurity levels below detection limits for most elements, highlighting the material’s high purity.

Benefits and practical applications

ASTASOL® AN7067N can be employed for:

• Calibration of AAS, AES, ICP-OES, ICP-MS instruments
• Validation of analytical methods for aqueous yttrium determination
• Quality control in manufacturing processes and environmental testing

Its well‐defined uncertainty and SI traceability support compliance with ISO/IEC standards and internal laboratory quality systems.

Future trends and opportunities

With increasing demand for lanthanide analysis in electronics recycling, renewable energy, and advanced materials, certified yttrium solutions will remain pivotal. Future developments may include multi‐element CRMs, automation of stability studies via real‐time monitoring, and adaptation to novel detection techniques such as single‐particle ICP-MS.

Conclusion

ASTASOL® AN7067N provides a robust, SI‐traceable yttrium standard with low uncertainty and proven stability. Its rigorous certification and clear instructions ensure reliability for diverse analytical workflows, reinforcing confidence in measurement results across research and industry.

Reference

• NIST SRM 928: Standard complexometric titration reference for yttrium quantification
• NIST SRM 3167a: Independent yttrium reference solution for cross‐validation