Application of handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for major element analysis and characterization of geological samples in Southern Thailand

Abstract

The handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (hXRF) was applied to major element analysis in the geological samples and the results were compared with the results of the wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (WDXRF). In addition, the analytical compositions were confirmed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). In the case of pXRF analysis, eight geological reference materials were used to calibrate the analytical method and four known concentration samples were used to prove the method. In research, ten geological samples from Phuket province, Thailand were collected with different depths corresponding to O horizon (0-0.1 m), A horizon (0.1-0.3 m), B1 horizon (0.3-1.0 m), B2 horizon (1.0-2.0 m), C1 horizon (2.0-3.0 m), C2A horizon (3.0-5.0 m), C2B horizon (5.0-8.0 m), C3 horizon (8.0-12.0 m), D horizon (12.0-20.0 m) and RK horizon (> 20.0 m). The elemental analysis results showed that the pXRF results were matched well with that WDXRF results. The concentration range in ten samples were Si (18-22 wt%), Al (12-15 wt%), Fe (1-4 wt%), K (0.4-3.2 wt%) and Ti (0.2-0.4 wt%). The concentration of some elements such as Ca and Mg on those ten samples are low and they are unable to analysed by hXRF. The XRD patterns revealed that all samples consisted of quartz, kaolinite, halloysite, illite, vermiculite and biotite.

Preparation of photoluminescent nano‐biocomposite nacre from graphene oxide and polylactic acid

“…The low concentrations of Eu, Sr, Al, and Dy were traced back to the lower NLAP concentrations used in the nacre production process. For XRF analysis, 10 ppm was the lowest detectable concentration [44]. Therefore, we could use XRF to identify some of the chemical components of nacre.…”

Influence of the Partial Substitution of Industrial Clinker by Volcanic Lava Powder from Nyiragongo Volcano on the Physical Properties of Mortars

“…However, powder X-ray diffraction is more suitable for the identification of crystalline phases, which may require other techniques as volcanic rocks cool quickly. Two methods of sample preparation were used according to the nature of the rocks: fused beads, which reduce matrix and inter-element effects, were used for silicate rocks, while pressed pellets, which are more suitable for carbonate rocks with high loss on ignition, were chosen for the latter [43]- [48]. At the HeidelbergCement Group laboratory/DRC, we used WD-XRF spectrometry (Figure 3 ( )…”