Analytical Sciences


Abstract − Analytical Sciences, 35(2), 165 (2019).

Application of Multi-energy Calibration for Determination of Chromium and Nickel in Nickeliferous Ores by Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Felipe M. FORTUNATO,* Tiago Augusto CATELANI,* Mario Siméon POMARES-ALFONSO,** and Edenir Rodrigues PEREIRA-FILHO*
*Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, Zip Code 13565-905, São Carlos, São Paulo State, Brazil
**Institute of Materials Science and Technology (IMRE), University of Havana, Zip Code 10400, Havana, Cuba
A multi-energy calibration method was applied for the determination of chromium and nickel in nickeliferous ores by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. For the optimization of the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy parameters, such as laser fluence and delay time, an experimental study was conducted. The best results in terms of trueness were observed using a laser fluence and a delay time of 2500 J/cm2 and 1.1 μs, respectively. A study of sample matrix effects and the determination of emission lines for calibration and normalization of the spectra were undertaken, and appropriate values of those variables were selected for each analyte. The trueness values for chromium and nickel varied from 89 to 114% when certified reference samples (nickeliferous laterite, rock phosphate and contaminated soil) were analyzed.