Despite significant technological advances over the past two decades, XRF is not even mentioned in most undergraduate analytical chemistry texts, and rarely used in instructional lab classes. XRF analyzers are now available in field portable units at a reasonable cost, and can be used to effect elemental analysis with minimal sample prep and analysis times on the order or a minute or less.With respect to qualitative analysis, interpretation of XRF spectra is far faster and easier versus IR, NMR, or MS. For quantitative analysis, some users place blind faith in the built-in algorithms and rarely attempt to perform accurate quantification using appropriate methods and standards. Many others frequently think that XRF should be used 'for screening purposes only' and is simply not capable of generating accurate results.This presentation will give a basic instruction to XRF theory and instrumentation, and summarize results from six years of XRF applications in instructional lab classes and undergraduate research projects. Particular emphasis will be placed on the pros and cons of various calibration models including Fundamental Parameters, empirical calibration using SRMs or authentic standards, and the use of dilution or the method of standard addition to overcome matrix effects.Applications will include determination of Cr in surgical instruments, Pb in soil, Fe in supplements, and Ca in powdered milk. These are suitable for experiments in quantitative, instrumental, and/or environmental analysis lab classes. Moreover, these experiments introduce students to this technology and stimulate further use in more advanced research projects including screening for leachable toxic elements in tableware, determination of As in drinking water, and assessing toxic metal uptake on plastics.

Portable XRF applications in undergraduate teaching and research

248th National Meeting (2014)

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