Recent Advances in Portable X‐Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is a nondestructive, rapid, simultaneous multi‐element analytical methodology for solid or liquid samples. Its applications are broad and XRF spectra cover most elements, with a dynamic range from 100% down to the µg/g level. X-ray fluorescence is a well‐established laboratory‐based method, but it is also one of the few atomic spectrometric techniques that can be used for field portable instrumentation. In this manuscript, the recent advances in portable XRF spectrometry are reviewed with 80 references. The principles and instrumentation are briefly discussed, and many applications of the technique are described, including the analysis of soils, sediments, waters, liquid wastes, air, dust, archaeological artifacts, works of art, paint, metals, alloys, minerals, and forensic samples. Portable XRF is especially suitable for fast screening applications when the specific analytes of interest are unknown. The technique does not have accuracy and limit of detection (LOD) values comparable to those of conventional laboratory‐based atomic spectrometric techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, or electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry, but it finds its niche in its portability.

Keywords:

• X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry
• Portable instrumentation
• Review
• Elemental analysis
• Atomic spectrometry
• Field application

Acknowledgments

Xiandeng Hou is grateful for the financial support from Sichuan University and the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China through Startup Grants (No. 82204127014 and No. JWS2002‐247).