Many methods are not feasible as digestion (incl. microwave) then followed by AAS or even direct analysis by XRF that lacks a proper sensitivity and produces higher detection limits. Between of the huge amount of techniques spread in market, I am enquiring if high resolution MS could be a competitive technique for measuring heavy metals with higher element specificity. What standards governments use to discriminate faked currencies? And what major elements they analyze?
which heavy metals are you asking for? EDXRF is a suitable method in terms of sensitivity and keeps the money "alive".
Prof. Joachim Kunze, thank you so much for your participation...
Yes, XRF is very reliable, time saving and cost-effective elemental analysis technique (compared with most techniques especially ICP) and EDXRF is very authentic more than WDXRF spectrometer for alkaline and earth-alkaline elements excluding lighter elements as Boron and Aluminum (especially at lower concentrations). But we should be cautious when we decide to use XRF for the measurement of such elements in very complicated matrices. In currency samples I agree that this technique is suitable for some elements as Si, Fe, Ba, Pb, and Zn at higher power levels (4.2 kW).
Going back to your participation sir, I think you mean TRXRF. However, both techniques TRXRF and EDXRF have limited applications in this field (currency). Indeed, we need when using XRF to greatly reduce the background specifically for low-Z elements and improve the sensitivity for specific portions of the spectrum. In addition, the detection limits used in XRF analysis is higher than MS for instance. As we know many trace elements in currency notes are in ppb or ppt so I don’t think that there is a competitive technique to MS even GF-AAS and including XRF.
Laser ablation ICP-MS has the sensitivity in ppb ranges, but cost is relatively high in academic labs. For instance, to determine the stoichiometry of all metals SIMULTANEOUSLY in our laboratory using a SPECTRO-MS (Kleve) is, I think, $90/hr, with an initial hour for set up. At 5-7 samples per hour subsequently, your throughput is not so high. You may be better off taking Loai's advice.
Tim
Thank you Prof. Timothy G. Bromage, I think that we need a new technique or to develop a new method for this purpose that affords the money, secures lower detection limits, and saving time.
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