Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
10:17
Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: A New Approach for Nanoparticle's Mapping and Quantification in Organ Tissue
Published on: June 18, 2014
13.9K
Exploring the Use of Nanoporous Glass Substrates for the Quantitative Trace Microanalysis of Aqueous Samples by
1Department of Molecular and Analytical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm square 7-8, Szeged H-6720, Hungary.
Analytical Chemistry
|June 4, 2025
Summary
A new method uses nanoporous borosilicate glass to dry microdroplets for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), enabling sensitive trace element analysis with improved signal and reduced interference.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a powerful analytical technique.
- Traditional LIBS methods for liquid samples face challenges with homogeneous deposition and signal enhancement.
- Developing robust sample presentation methods is crucial for improving LIBS sensitivity and accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel LIBS liquid sample presentation method using nanoporous borosilicate glass (NPG).
- To investigate the effectiveness of NPG substrates in achieving homogeneous analyte deposition and enhancing LIBS signals.
- To demonstrate the capability for sensitive, quantitative trace element analysis using this new method.
Main Methods:
- Microdroplets (2-3 μL) of aqueous solutions were dried on NPG substrates (4 nm pore size, 30% porosity).
- Capillary effects and pore structure of NPG were utilized for homogeneous deposition, preventing coffee ring effects.
- Nanosecond laser pulses (266 nm) were used for ablation, with substrate robustness and spectral interference assessed.
- Scanning electron microscopy, contact profilometry, imaging, and gravimetric measurements were employed.
Main Results:
- Homogeneous deposition of dissolved matter within the NPG pore structure was achieved.
- NPG effectively broke Marangoni flows, eliminating coffee ring effects and enhancing laser coupling.
- The NPG substrate demonstrated robustness for repeated laser ablation, significantly boosting sensitivity.
- Mild spectral interference from the glass allowed for multielement trace analysis, with quantitative results for Ag, Ba, Cu, and Sr.
- Calibration plots showed a quadratic trend (1-1000 ppm) with low- to sub-ppm limit of detection (LOD) values.
Conclusions:
- The NPG-based microdroplet drying method offers a sensitive and effective approach for LIBS analysis of aqueous solutions.
- This technique overcomes limitations of conventional methods by ensuring homogeneous deposition and signal enhancement.
- The developed method is suitable for quantitative trace element determination with high sensitivity and minimal spectral interference.
