Abstract:
The complete decomposition of complex matrices containing molybdenum by potassium pyrosulphate and its subsequent spectrophotometric determination using toluene 3,4-dithiol and thiocyanate was investigated. Results given by intermethod comparison and linear regression analyses show that a very good positive correlation exists between the two methods. The analytical results obtained from various international geochemical certified samples (jasperiod, copper mill head, soil, manganese nodule, shale, tropical soil molybdenum and tungsten ore) agreed well with analytical values available in the literature. The procedure is very simple, inexpensive, less labour-intensive and easily adaptable and separation of molybdenum from tungsten is straight forward, hence strongly recommended for a quality control programme and in the evaluation of reference materials.