Qualitative X-ray fluorescence analysis of solutions

Principle

Various saturated solutions are subjected to polychromatic X-rays. The energy of the resulting fluorescence radiation is analysed with the aid of a semiconductor  detector and a multi-channel analyser. The energy of the corresponding characteristic X-ray fluorescence lines is determined. The elements of the samples are identified by comparing the line energies with the corresponding table values.

Tasks

1. Calibrate the semiconductor energy detector with the aid of the characteristic radiation of the tungsten X-ray tube.
2. Record the fluorescence spectra of saturated potassium bromide and lead chloride solutions.
3. Determine the energy values of the corresponding fluorescence lines and comparison with the corresponding table values.

Learning objectives

• Bremsstrahlung
• characteristic X-radiation
• energy levels
• fluorescent yield
• solubility
• solubility product
• semiconductor energy detectors
• multi-channel analysers