Why the XRF instrument cannot detect the different ions of the same element, e.g.. Fe2+ and Fe3+ ?
XRF is multi-elemental analysis technique (it is based on the production of X-rays which is shell binding energy dependent). However, charge state is valency electron dependent. The Experimental techniques like XPS, XRD can give you the idea of ions of the elements
Dear Salah,
ions can be regarded as small spheres having a conducting but charged surface.
For such geometry inside the sphere there is no electric field. Therefore there is no reason for the electron to change the energy value of their levels value when the surface is charged like Fe2+ or Fe3+. Thus the energy of the fluorescence photons, which is equal to difference of two energy values of two core levels does not depend on ionization grade. So neutral atoms as well as ions of different charged state will have the same fluorescence energies. You cannot distinguish them by XRF.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/elesph.html#c2
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