Analysis of airborne metal containing particles with EDX/EDS detectors in electron microscopes

• Authors: Przemysław Sielicki , Helena Janik , Agnieszka Guzman , Alan Reynolds , Jacek Namieśnik
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

In years 2006–2010 particulate matter analysis was undertaken for dust samples collected from Gdansk and London area in order to compare their morphology and composition. Part of those studies was devoted to analysis of particulate matter (PM) bearing metals. Characterization of the morphology and size of the particles collected onto the filters was performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Both electron microscopes were equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers to identify the elemental composition of the particles. On analysis of the X-ray spectra acquired by both TEM and SEM, the particles were divided into 10 groups as follows: Al-rich, Ba-rich, C-rich, Ca-rich, Cl-rich, Fe-rich, Mg-rich, Na-rich, S-rich, Si-rich. Speciation of the particles based on the major element and accompanying minor elements yielded 34 particle types. However, some pairs of elements repeat, for instance: Na-Cl and Cl-Na, Al-S and S-Al, Si-Al and Al-Si, S-Ca and Ca-S. These are undoubtedly the same types of particles; variation in peak heights of the major and minor elements is normal in a mixed particle population.

Keywords

EN

Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry; EDX; EDS; Electron microscopy; Particulate matter

• Publisher: De Gruyter Open
• Journal: Open Chemistry
• Year: 2011
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 308-313

Dates

published

1 - 4 - 2011

online

17 - 2 - 2011

Contributors

author

Przemysław Sielicki

• Gdansk University of Technology

author

Helena Janik

• Gdansk University of Technology

author

Agnieszka Guzman

• Gdansk University of Technology

author

Alan Reynolds

• Brunel University

author

Jacek Namieśnik

• Gdansk University of Technology

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s11532-010-0144-6