DETERMINATION OF CURIUM AT 0.1 NG 1-1 LEVELS IN A MICELLAR MEDIUM BY TIME-RESOLVED LASER-INDUCED SPECTROFLUORIMETRY

Time-resolved laser-induced spectrofluorimetry was used for the determination of curium complexed with thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in a non-ionic micellar medium (Triton X-100). The results obtained were compared with those obtained in carbonate medium. With suitable complexing reagents concentration and pH, curium can be determined at concentrations down to 5 x 10(-13) M. This limit of detection corresponds to 0.1 ng l-1 or 2 x 10(7) molecules in the interaction volume. Limitations and improvements to the system in terms of limit of detection are discussed.