Tellurium

Location:  Group 16, Period 5
Atomic Weight:  127.60
Coordination Number:  6
Chemical Form in Solution:  H₂TeO₃ (HNO₃ matrix), TeCl₆^2- (HCl matrix)

Storage & Handling:  Keep tightly sealed when not in use. Store and use at 20 ± 4°C. Do not pipet from container. Do not return portions removed for pipetting to container.

Chemical Compatibility:  Soluble in HCl, HNO₃, H₃PO₄, H₂SO₄ and HF aqueous matrices and water. It is stable with most inorganic anions and cations. Avoid mixing HCl matrices with elements forming insoluble chlorides such as Ag⁺. When fluorinated and/or under acidic conditions precipitation is typically not a problem at moderate to low concentrations.

Stability:  2-100 ppb levels stable for months alone or mixed with other elements at equivalent levels in 1% HNO₃ / LDPE container. 1-10,000 ppm solutions chemically stable for years in 1-5% HNO₃ / LDPE container.

Te Containing Samples (Preparation & Solution):  Metal (soluble in solutions of alkali hydroxides or a 1:1:1 mixture of H₂O, H₂SO₄, HNO₃); Oxides (TeO₂ is soluble in HCl and the alkali hydroxides. TeO₃is soluble in hot concentrated solutions of the alkali hydroxides.); Minerals and alloys (acid digestion with HNO₃or HNO₃ / HF); Organic Matrices (Vegetable Matter - dry ash 100 g of the well-ground and mixed vegetation into a concentrated solution of 25 g of magnesium nitrate and magnesium oxide. Dry, ignite and muffle until the ash is a uniform gray color).