X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

Becoming the most widely used method for elemental analysis of solids

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Advantages of X-Ray Spectrometry

* Simple spectra

* Spectral positions are almost independent of the chemical state of the analyte

* Minimal sample preparation

* It is non-destructive

* Applicable over a wide range of concentrations

* Good precision and accuracy

Disadvantages of X-Ray Spectrometry

* X-ray penetration of the sample is limited to the top 0.01 - 0.1 mm layer

* Light elements (below Ti) have very limited sensitivity although C is possible on new
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instruments

* Inter element (MATRIX) effects may be substantial and require computer correction

* Limits of detection are only modest

* Instrumentation is fairly expensive

NOMENCLATURE
Simplified spectral lines observed in x-ray spectra (each energy shell actually comprises
several energy levels, thus transitions are more numerous than shown).
PRINCIPLES OF X-RAY FLUORESCENCE

X-Ray Excitation
Electron Excitation
AUGER ELECTRON EMISSION

(internal photoionisation)
The Auger effect is more common in elements of low Z because their atomic electrons are
more loosely bound and their characteristic X-rays more readily absorbed.
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE YIELD

The yield of X-ray photons is reduced by the Auger effect. The fluorescence yield ( ) is the
ratio of X-ray photons emitted from a given shell to the number of vacancies created in that
shell.
Since production of Auger electrons is the only other competing reaction the ratio of Auger

electrons to vacancies must be 1- .

X-RAY ABSORPTION AND SCATTERING IN CONDENSED PHASES

The probability of X-ray absorption as a function of path length through the sample is given by
Beer's law for X-rays:

I/I0 = exp(-µm d)

where I/I0 is the fraction of X-rays transmitted through a thickness d of a material of density

. The parameter µm is the mass absorption coefficient which is a function of the atomic
number Z and the energy (wavelength) of the X-ray.
The mass absorption coefficient for a complex sample is the weighted average of the
coefficients for the constituent atoms.
X-RAY MASS ABSORPTION COEFFICIENTS

A plot of mass absorption coefficient vs energy of the X-ray photon for Pb.
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Abrupt changes are observed corresponding to absorption edges for K, L and M electrons. At
the energy (wavelength) of the edge, the photons first become sufficiently energetic to eject
K, L and M photoelectrons.
X-RAY SOURCES

The X-ray tube is energised by a high-voltage power supply with an output of 0.5 to 50 kV.
The head of the vacuum tube consists of a target (anode), which is often made of tungsten
and chromium. As accelerated electrons strike the target, X-rays are emitted. The tube also
forms the X-rays into a beam through a Beryllium window.

In the target the 74W is used to excite L and K lines of higher Z atoms and the Cr is
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used to excite atoms of 22Ti and below.

Spectral Output
X-ray spectrum produced by electron bombardment of a tungsten target:
Continuum Spectrum: The continuum results from deceleration of electrons by the atoms in
the target. The German term "bremsstrahlung" means "braking radiation."

Characteristic Spectra: Electron bombardment also produces characteristic peaks K and

K provided the accelerating potentials are sufficiently high.

DETECTORS

X-ray photons (as well as other energetic particles) can be measured using the following types
of detectors:
* gas-filled detectors register a current pulse from the collection of electron-ion pairs formed;

* a semiconductor detector register a current pulse from the formation of electron-hole pairs;

* a scintillation detector counts light pulses created when an X-rays passes through a
phosphor;

* a photographic plate.
Gas-Proportional Counters

A gas-proportional counter is filled with P90 gas (90% argon, 10% methane). X-rays ionise
the gas, leaving electrons that migrate to the anode and positive ions that move to the case.
Proportional counters use gas amplification: the detector voltage is raised to 500 to 700 V so
that the primary electrons and ions, first formed, are accelerated to produce secondary
electrons and ions when they collide with gas atoms. This yields a greatly increased signal
which is, nevertheless, proportional to the energy of the original x-ray.
Solid-State Detectors

When an electron enters the crystal it ejects a high-energy photoelectron which ultimately
dissipates its energy in multiple interactions which promote valence band electrons to the
conduction band, leaving holes in the valence band. The electron-hole pairs are then collected
by biasing the detector at -1000 V, giving rise to a current pulse for each x-ray entering the
detector. Charge collection is much more efficient than in a gas.

Lithium-Drifted Si(Li) Detectors

A lithium-drifted Si(Li) detector is manufactured from high-purity p-type silica. However, p-

type silica of sufficiently high purity is difficult to fabricate. Most Si crystals contain extrinsic
holes, caused by impurities, which allow significant "leakage" of current at the required bias
voltage. In order to compensate for these extrinsic holes, lithium, an n-type dopant, is
diffused into the material at 350 - 450ºC under an electrical gradient. The lithium atoms
compensate for the extrinsic charge-carriers in the p-type silicon and provide a wide "intrinsic"
region of high resistance.
Si(Li) detectors are operated at 77 K with a liquid N2 cryostat to prevent further diffusion and
to reduce the level of random noise due to the thermal motion of charge carriers.
WAVELENGTH DISPERSIVE XRF SPECTROSCOPY

Instrumentation

In wavelength dispersive spectrometers, the several x-ray lines emitted from the sample are
dispersed spatially by crystal diffraction on the basis of wavelength. The detector then receives
only one wavelength at a time.

The crystal and detector are made to synchronously rotate through angles of θ and 2θ
respectively.
 Bragg Diffraction
Wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometers function by separating the X-rays of interest using
diffraction from a crystal. This follows from the Bragg equation:

n = 2 d sin( )

where n is the diffraction order, d is the interplanar spacing of the atomic layer and is the
angle of incidence.

Crystals

Crystal Primary Range

LiF 0.025 - 0.272 nm

Si 0.055 - 0.598 nm

pentaerythritol 0.076 - 0.834 nm

CaSO4.2H2O 0.132 - 1.45 nm

KAP* 0.232 - 2.54 nm

lead stearates 6 - 15 nm

*Potassium hydrogen phthalate

ENERGY DISPERSIVE XRF SPECTROSCOPY

The primary X-ray beam excites several spectral lines from the sample. In energy dispersive
XRF all wavelengths enter the detector at once. The detector registers an electric current
having a height proportional to the photon energy. These pulses are then separated
electronically, using a pulse analyser.

WAVELENGTH AND ENERGY DISPERSION COMPARED

Advantages of Energy Dispersion:

* simplicity of instrumentation - no moving parts

* simultaneous accumulation of the entire X-ray spectrum

* qualitative analysis can be performed in 30 s, or so

* a range of alternative excitation sources can be used in place of high-power x-ray tubes with
their large, heavy, expensive and power-consuming supplies
* alternative sources include, low power x-ray tubes, secondary monochromatic radiators,
radioisotopes and ion beams.
Advantages of Wavelength Dispersion:

* resolution is better at wavelengths longer than 0.08 nm

* higher individual intensities can be measured because only a small portion of the spectrum
is admitted to the detector

* with multichannel analysers sensitivity for weak lines in the presence of strong lines is
limited because the strongest line determines the counting time

* lower detection limits are possible

SAMPLE PREPARATION

Reproducible sample preparation methods are essential. Samples must be in a form that are
similar to available standards in terms of matrix, density and particle size.
* Solids, generally solids must be polished as surface roughness may give erratic results.

* Powders and pellets, powdered samples are often pressed into pellets, suspensions may also
be analysed

* Fusions, with potassium pyrophosphate (K2P2O7) or a tetraborate (Na2B4O7 or Li2B4O7)

present a homogenised sample which can often be analysed directly

* Liquids and solutions, a x-ray transparent cover and sample cup must be provided to
prevent volatility under vacuum conditions

* support media, such as filter paper, millipore filters, ion-exchange membranes

MATRIX EFFECTS

Types of Matrix Effects

In XRF absorption-enhancement effects arise from the following phenomena:

1. The matrix absorbs primary x-rays (primary-absorption effect); it may have a larger or
smaller absorption coefficient than the analyte for primary source x-rays

2. The matrix absorbs the secondary analyte x-rays (secondary-absorption effect); it may
have a larger or smaller absorption coefficient for the analyte-line radiation

3. The matrix elements emit their own characteristic lines, which may lie on the short
wavelength side of the analyte absorption edge, thereby exciting the analyte to emit additional
radiation to that excited by the primary source of X-rays alone (enhancement)

Absorption-Enhancement Effects

Absorption-enhancement effects can be positive or negative on the basis of their effect upon
analyte intensity.
In the positive absorption effect, the matrix has a smaller absorption coefficient than the
analyte for the primary and analyte-line radiation, and the analyte-line radiation is higher than
would be predicted.
In the negative absorption effect, the matrix has a larger absorption coefficient than the
analyte, and the analyte-line intensity is lower than expected.
In the enhancement effect, one or more spectral lines of the matrix elements excite analyte-

line emission). This enhancement may take two forms: direct enhancement ( B and C

both excite A ) and the third element enhancement ( C excites B which in turn

excites A ).

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

1. Calibration-Standard Methods. The analyte-line intensity from samples is compared with

that from standards having the same form as the samples and, nearly as possible, the same
matrix.

2. Internal Standardisation. The calibration-standard method is improved by quantitative

addition to all samples of an internal standard element having excitation, absorption and
enhancement characteristics similar to those of the analyte in the particular matrix. The
calibration function involves measuring the intensity ratio of the analyte and internal standard
lines.

3. Matrix-Dilution Methods. The matrix of all samples is diluted to a composition such that the
effect of the matrix is determined by the diluent rather than the matrix.

4. Thin-Film Methods. The samples are made so thin that absorption-enhancement effects
substantially disappear.

5. Standard Addition and Dilution Methods. The analyte concentration is altered quantitatively
in the sample itself. The sample is subjected to one or more quantitative incremental
concentrations or dilutions of the analyte. The intensity of the analyte lines is measured for
effectively the same matrix in each case.

6. Mathematical Corrections. Absorption-enhancement effects are corrected mathematically by

the use of influence coefficients for each element present (these are derived experimentally
from reference samples). The basic approach is that the XRF intensity at a particular
wavelength will in some way be affected by each element in the sample.