STUDY AND DETERMINATION OF PURE ELEMENT INTENSITIES FOR ENERGY-DISPERSIVE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Among the methods for determining pure element intensities, here we have used pure bulk samples, oxide samples, and low concentration samples. Commercial pure thick metal foils have been used with Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, Y, Zr, Nb, and Mo. For those elements for which pure metal foils are not available, such as Mn, Ga, As, Se, and Sr, the pure element intensities can be determined using oxides, such as MnO₂, Ga₂O₃, As₂O₃, SeO₂, and SrO. For some elements, such as Br and Rb, for which oxides are not available, the pure element intensities may be determined by the low concentration method. The results obtained with the three methods are in good agreement with one another.

Keywords:

• Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis
• Determination of pure element intensity
• Bulk sample method
• Oxide sample method
• Low concentration method

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author thanks Dr Lau Chi-Kwab and Shailesh Redkar for their technical advice, and Miss Emily S.W. Ong (National University of Singapore) and Mr Anthony K.P. Yeo (Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore) for their technical assistance.