CRM Copper (Cu) - Aqueous calibration solution ASTASOL® AN8015N

Importance of the Topic

Aqueous calibration solutions are foundational in ensuring accurate quantification of metal analytes across a wide range of analytical platforms. Certified reference materials (CRMs) such as ASTASOL® AN8015N deliver traceable, well-characterized standards that underpin quality assurance, method validation, and interlaboratory comparability in atomic and molecular spectrometry.

Objectives and Overview of the Certificate

This document certifies the composition, purity, and stability of ASTASOL® AN8015N, an aqueous copper standard at 100.0 mg L⁻¹. It establishes metrological traceability to SI units, provides expanded uncertainties, and details conditions for storage, handling, and shelf life.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Gravimetric preparation formed the basis of certification, ensuring direct traceability to the kilogram. Verification of the copper concentration and uncertainty was achieved by:

• Complexometric titration against SRM NIST 928
• Independent determination using SRM NIST 3114

Trace impurities were surveyed by:

• Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS)
• Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES)
• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Applied Instrumentation

• AAS instruments for single-element quantification of impurities
• ICP-OES for multi-element screening
• ICP-MS for ultra-trace level detection

Main Results and Discussion

The certified copper concentration of ASTASOL® AN8015N is 100.0 ± 0.2 mg L⁻¹ at 20 °C. The solution density is 1.0092 ± 0.0005 g cm⁻³. Trace element analysis confirmed most impurities below sub-µg L⁻¹ levels, provided solely for user information. Homogeneity and stability evaluations demonstrated that the material remains consistent over its five-year shelf life, with expiry set at 12 months after opening.

Benefits and Practical Applications

ASTASOL® AN8015N supports:

• Calibration and validation of AAS, AES, ICP-OES, ICP-MS methods
• Standardization of molecular absorption spectrometry
• Quality control in electroanalytical procedures

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances in CRM development are likely to focus on:

• Enhanced miniaturization for micro-volume standards
• Digital certification and blockchain-based traceability
• Expanded matrices including organic solvents and environmental media

Conclusion

ASTASOL® AN8015N delivers a rigorously certified copper standard, combining gravimetric SI traceability with multi-technique verification. Its defined uncertainty, robust homogeneity, and clear handling guidelines make it an indispensable tool for analytical laboratories seeking reliable calibration and method validation.

Reference

ASTASOL® AN8015N Certificate, Analytika, spol. s r.o., Department of Reference Materials, Version 01, 2023.