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. 2012 Jan 30:89:99-104.
doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2011.11.073. Epub 2011 Dec 2.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) filter analysis and modeling by total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) and X-ray standing wave (XSW)

L Borgese  1 , M Salmistraro, A Gianoncelli, A Zacco, R Lucchini, N Zimmerman, L Pisani, G Siviero, L E Depero, E Bontempi
Affiliations

Airborne particulate matter (PM) filter analysis and modeling by total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) and X-ray standing wave (XSW)

L Borgese et al. Talanta. .

Abstract

This work is presented as an improvement of a recently introduced method for airborne particulate matter (PM) filter analysis [1]. X-ray standing wave (XSW) and total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) were performed with a new dedicated laboratory instrumentation. The main advantage of performing both XSW and TXRF, is the possibility to distinguish the nature of the sample: if it is a small droplet dry residue, a thin film like or a bulk sample. Another advantage is related to the possibility to select the angle of total reflection to make TXRF measurements. Finally, the possibility to switch the X-ray source allows to measure with more accuracy lighter and heavier elements (with a change in X-ray anode, for example from Mo to Cu). The aim of the present study is to lay the theoretical foundation of the new proposed method for airborne PM filters quantitative analysis improving the accuracy and efficiency of quantification by means of an external standard. The theoretical model presented and discussed demonstrated that airborne PM filters can be considered as thin layers. A set of reference samples is prepared in laboratory and used to obtain a calibration curve. Our results demonstrate that the proposed method for quantitative analysis of air PM filters is affordable and reliable without the necessity to digest filters to obtain quantitative chemical analysis, and that the use of XSW improve the accuracy of TXRF analysis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
new instrument experimental setup: (a) measurement set-up and (b) motorized axes available on the sample stage.
Figure 1
Figure 1
new instrument experimental setup: (a) measurement set-up and (b) motorized axes available on the sample stage.
Figure 2
Figure 2
experimental XSW data (dots) obtained considering the Fe (K- alpha) peaks area of the standard NIST-SRM 2783 sample; the simulation of XSW is also reported (dotted line).
Figure 3
Figure 3
TXRF patterns collected on the NIST-SRM 2783 standard filter, by using two different X-ray sources: Mo and Cu. Spectra are normalized with respect to Fe peak intensity.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of Mn concentration data obtained on the same environmental samples measured with two different instruments (see ref [1]) experimental configurations and X-ray sources (Mo and Cu).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Calibration line for quantitative analysis of Ti. Ti K-alpha peak area is reported versus ALD cycles number (directly related to the mass).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Borgese L, Zacco A, Pal S, Bontempi E, Lucchini R, Zimmerman N, Depero LE. Talanta. 2011;84:192–198. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Lippmann M, Chen LC. Crit. Rev. Toxicology. 2009;39:865–913. - PubMed
    1. Lippmann M. Atmos. Health. 2011 in press.
    1. Bontempi E, Benedetti D, Zacco A, Pantos E, Boniotti S, Saletti C, Apostoli P, Depero L:E. J. Environ. Monit. 2008;10:82–88. - PubMed
    1. Strak M, Steenhof M, Godri KJ, Gosens I, Mudway IS, Cassee FR, Lebret E, Brunekreef B, Kelly FJ, Harrison RM, Hoek G, Janssen NAH. Atmos. Environ. 2011;45:4442–4453.

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