Using XRF and ICP-OES in Biosorption Studies

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Biosorption is a key process for removing contaminants, requiring accurate elemental analysis.
• X-ray fluorescence (XRF) offers a rapid, cost-effective method for elemental analysis.
• Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) provides high precision and low detection limits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for recalculating X-ray fluorescence (XRF) results to Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for biosorption studies.
• To establish calibration equations for converting XRF data to ICP-OES values.
• To validate the accuracy of the developed method using fruit seeds as biosorbents.

Main Methods:

• Utilized strawberry, blackcurrant, and raspberry seeds post-supercritical CO₂ extraction as biosorbents.
• Employed X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for initial elemental analysis.
• Performed sample digestion with HNO₃ in a microwave system followed by ICP-OES analysis for calibration.
• Applied linear regression to correlate XRF and ICP-OES data for elements like Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn).

Main Results:

• Achieved high positive correlations for Cu (r² = 0.9998), Mn (r² = 0.807), and Zn (r² = 0.979) between XRF and ICP-OES.
• Demonstrated that XRF, when calibrated with ICP-OES, can provide quantitative data for biosorption studies.
• ICP-OES exhibited superior precision and lower detection limits compared to XRF.
• XRF offers advantages of lower cost, minimal sample preparation, and faster results.

Conclusions:

• The developed recalculation method enables the use of XRF for quantitative elemental analysis in biosorption studies, complementing ICP-OES.
• This approach facilitates the development of cost-effective and rapid analytical methodologies for biosorption processes.
• Combining XRF with ICP-OES enhances the reliability of data generated from biosorption research, supporting innovation in biosorbent materials and applications.