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Comparison of Fused Glass Beads and Pressed Powder Pellets for the Quantitative Measurement of Al, Fe, Si and Ti in Bauxite by Laser‐Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Author(s) -
Carvalho Alexandrina A. C.,
Alves Victoria C.,
Silvestre Daniel M.,
Leme Flávio O.,
Oliveira Pedro V.,
Nomura Cassiana S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
geostandards and geoanalytical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.037
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1751-908X
pISSN - 1639-4488
DOI - 10.1111/ggr.12173
Subject(s) - bauxite , pellets , materials science , laser induced breakdown spectroscopy , calibration , calibration curve , analytical chemistry (journal) , matrix (chemical analysis) , particle size , boron , sample preparation , particle (ecology) , spectroscopy , mineralogy , metallurgy , composite material , chemistry , chromatography , detection limit , mathematics , oceanography , geology , statistics , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Due to matrix interference and sample particle size effects, some of the most important and difficult issues in laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis are the calibration and quantitative measurement of a complex matrix. This study proposes the use of borate fusion as an alternative sample preparation procedure for the quantitative measurement of Al, Fe, Si and Ti in bauxite by LIBS. Analytical calibration curves were made using bauxite certified reference materials (CRM), and the precision and accuracy of the methods were evaluated by analysing an additional bauxite CRM, using two different approaches: pressed powder pellets and fused glass beads. The borate fusion method was the most suitable sample preparation technique, since particle size effects and matrix interference could be minimised, obtaining better linearity on the analytical calibration curves ( r 2 ), and more accurate and more precise results for bauxite analysis.