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Energy Dispersive X-ray Tomography for 3D Elemental Mapping of Individual Nanoparticles
Published on: July 5, 2016
MSWI fly ash particle analysis by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
S Gilardoni1, P Fermo, F Cariati
1Dipartimento di Chimica Inorganica Metallorganica ed Analitica, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Venezian 21, 20133 Milano, Italy.
Abstract:
Municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly ash was investigated to study metal distribution on the particle surface. A detailed investigation into the distribution of chlorine, copper, iron, and zinc was carried out by electron microscopy coupled with X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Compositional and leaching test data were used to identify the correlation of significant variables and to formulate a hypothesis about metals speciation. The presence of copper chloride, iron, and zinc oxides was inferred. The iron and zinc accumulation in the submicron nuclei indicates that these metals came from the condensation of volatile species. As far as concerns copper, morphological data together with the element correlation study suggest that this element accumulates on particles involved in heterogeneous condensation processes. Furthermore, during such processes, particles of small size containing copper are formed.
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