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Quantitative analyses of aerosol filters by wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry from bulk reference samples
Author(s) -
Quisefit J. P.,
de Chateaubourg P.,
Garivait S.,
Steiner E.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
x‐ray spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.447
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1097-4539
pISSN - 0049-8246
DOI - 10.1002/xrs.1300230204
Subject(s) - aerosol , calibration , filter (signal processing) , analytical chemistry (journal) , transparency (behavior) , materials science , wavelength , calibration curve , sample (material) , computer science , chemistry , detection limit , optoelectronics , physics , chromatography , computer security , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , computer vision
The quantitative analysis by X‐ray Fluorescence (XRF) of aerosol filters implies the use of calibration curves obtained from synthetic standards which are relatively difficult to make. Several methods have been developed in the last 10 years. Because of transparency to the exciting X‐rays, the analysis of thin films requires optimization of the sample holder by adding secondary covers, for which the influence of the nature and form of the material to obtain the best detection limits has been studied previously. In addition, some metallic solid samples defined as ‘;filter equivalent’ samples have been used by other workers, but only for lead determination, and without a study of their capability to take into account any instrumental variations. This paper reports a theoretical and practical study of bulk samples defined as ‘;filter equivalents.’ Their capability of always being reliable standards even with large variations in instrumental conditions was controlled. A general process to make multi‐element bulky ‘;filter equivalents’ by means of borate glass discs is described. These have the great advantage of being very easy to manipulate and less fragile than thin films or filters, and resistant to X‐rays even after several calibration checks carried out to estimate the stability of the apparatus. They should have an ‘;infinite lifetime’ if the analyst correctly manipulates and stores them.