SR-TXRF detection limit reduction using thin polymer film substrates

Abstract

Three different substrates for the analysis of liquid samples by Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence with Synchrotron Radiation (SR-TXRF) were investigated and compared: Lucite (Perspex), Kimfoil and Mylar. Dry targets were prepared by pipetting 5 µl aliquotes of the liquid samples (synthetic standards and fresh water samples) on the different substrates. A five fold reduction of the continuous background and a corresponding reduction of the elementary detection limits were observed when thin polymer film substrates were used instead of the common thick Perspex substrate.

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“…The LOD is correlated with the signal peak and the background for the measurement of fluorescence spectrum. Several calculation methods of the limit of detection in X-ray spectroscopy have been reported in literatures [9][10][11]. The beam current, counting time and accelerating voltage play the key role for calculating the detection limits.…”

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“…When the fluorescence spectrum is measured, the MDL is correlated with the signal peak and the background. Different methods have been reported for calculation of the minimum detection of limits in X-ray spectroscopy [9][10][11]. The detection limits are calculated in PIXE analysis by assuming that the minimum intensity of the peak is three times the square root of the background at full width half maximum intensity.…”

Preliminary Study on the Elemental Quantification of in Ambient Liquid Samples of Microliter Volume Using the In-air Micro-PIXE Technique

“…There were, however, a number of crucial flaws in the dried thin method. First of all, Poli et al (2004) reported that as a result of a dissimilarity in the drying process of liquid samples on substrate film, the differences in adhesion and crystallization of the liquid sample may have occurred. Partially evaporation of components during drying process of liquid sample on a film layer can also create an unsound analytical result.…”