I am wondering that do I need to consider about Si in my unknown? My unknown sample is polymer, so it is mounted on aluminum stubs using epoxy and coated with a thin layer of Ir (~5 nm). Therefore, Al and Ir appear with quite high percent in EDS. It is not necessary to consider about Al and Ir containing in my unknown, isn't it? I am not quite sure if these elements are one of element in my unknown.
EDS is one of the worst methods for quantifying composition of polymers. If you do not interested in spatial resolution (and it looks you do not), find another method better suited for your needs.
I used SEM-EDS and RAMAN techniques to observe my unknown polymer. The most percents of elements are of C, O, S.
i am wondering that how can i calculate the ratios of specific elements identified in this analysis to preperly indentifh my unknown?
Is your "unknown" polysulfone for sure? I agree with Vladimir and recommend a complementary technique to establish the composition of the unknown. Your C, O, and S could also be coming from the epoxy used. That amount of Si may not be trivial also. In this case, it looks like EDS should be a starting point for composition, not your final solution.
Hi Matthew. How do I know these elements coming from the epoxy used? Because the epoxy compound does not contain S element in it chemical formula.
C and O make up the backbone of epoxy resins (epoxide groups) so you cannot accurately determine where these elemental signatures are coming from. Some may be coming from the epoxy while the rest may be coming from your "unknown", however, the exact ratio cannot be determined by this technique. Use of additional techniques would more completely define this "unknown" like FTIR, NMR, TGA, DSC, etc. may all give you more information for determination.
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