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

Significance of the Topic

Certified reference materials (CRMs) such as aqueous calibration solutions underpin reliable quantification in analytical chemistry. They provide direct traceability to SI units, ensure method validation, support quality assurance in laboratories, and facilitate interlaboratory comparability. A stable, well-characterized multi‐element standard is critical for atomic spectrometry, molecular spectrophotometry, and electroanalytical techniques.

Objectives and Overview

This document certifies ASTASOL® AN9093MN, a multi‐element aqueous calibration solution produced by Analytika®, meeting ISO Guide 31 requirements. It aims to:

• Define certified concentrations of 15 essential metals at 100.0 mg/L with expanded uncertainties.
• Describe preparation, homogeneity, stability, traceability, and intended use conditions.
• Present verification by primary and instrumental methods against independent reference materials.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Gravimetric preparation underpins direct traceability to the kilogram. Verification employed both classical and instrumental analyses:

• Complexometric titration with EDTA for Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn.
• Gravimetric determination for Ba and Ti.
• ICP-OES for Cr and Na.
• Independent calibrators including NIST SRMs and in-house standards.

Used Instrumentation

Analytical methods and equipment used for certification and impurity checks include:

• Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS)
• Atomic emission spectrometry (AES)
• Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES)
• Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
• Titrimetric and gravimetric apparatus

Main Results and Discussion

All target analytes (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Ti, Zn) achieved certified concentrations of 100.0 mg/L with expanded uncertainties (k=2) ranging from ±0.2 to ±0.3 mg/L. Density at 20 °C is 1.0324 g/cm³ ±0.0005. Trace impurity screening detected sub-µg/L levels for over 60 elements, demonstrating high purity. Homogeneity and stability studies confirm consistency over the 5-year shelf life when stored at 5–30 °C and handled per instructions.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The multi‐element solution simplifies calibration workflows across spectrometric platforms, reducing preparation errors and instrument downtime. Single‐bottle calibration improves laboratory throughput, supports method validation and proficiency testing, and harmonizes QA/QC protocols in environmental, clinical, and industrial analysis.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances in CRM technology may include ultra-low concentration matrices, broader element coverage, and matrix-matched formulations for complex samples. Integration with digital certificates and blockchain traceability can further enhance data integrity. Emerging analytical techniques like single-particle ICP-MS and laser-based methods will benefit from tailored multi-element CRMs.

Conclusion

ASTASOL® AN9093MN represents a rigorously characterized, SI-traceable multi-element aqueous calibration solution, suitable for diverse spectrometric and electroanalytical methods. Its validated homogeneity, stability, and low impurity profile ensure reliable calibration and quality control in modern analytical laboratories.

Reference

Certified values and uncertainties were verified using primary and instrumental methods calibrated with:

• NIST SRM 928, 3101a, 3104a, 3108, 3109a, 3112a, 3113, 3114, 3131a, 3132, 3136, 3128, 3168a, 3152a
• In-house solid and liquid CRMs
• Internal gravimetric and titrimetric standards