Wavelength-dispersive X-Ray fluorescence spectrometer

• Subject Area: Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: Funded in 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 425899429

The aim of this proposal is to equip the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Duisburg-Essen with a high-performance wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (WD-RFA) in order to further expand and utilize the University's excellence in fundamental and applied research on nanoscience and nanomaterials. The non-destructive quantification of the elemental composition obtained by solid nanocomposites and thin-film samples as well as liquid nanoparticle colloids represents a major challenge in the scientific life of our faculty. The main research areas range from the synthesis and development of functional biomaterials to inorganic multi-metallic alloy nanomaterials in the field of optics (SFB 1242) and magnetism towards tailor-made nanoparticle colloids and composites for additive manufacturing (SPP 2122) and fundamental research on heterogeneous catalysts (SFB / TR 247). Already available non-destructive methods such as e.g. EDX, EELS, AES or XPS have only limited sensitivity (> 100 ppb) and are therefore not suitable for trace analysis as well as liquid samples. In turn, alternative quantitative methods such as ICP-OES / -MS or AAS, require that the composition is at least qualitatively known in order to apply a tailored sample preparation method (including destructive sample digestion) including time-consuming microwave digestion. Consequently, a study of the material composition is only possible on a small sample scale, is associated with a loss of sample and enables only indirect composition-related correlations. The performance profile of the WD-RFA described in this proposal is designed to ensure a non-destructive analysis of solid and liquid nanomaterials, possible in trace amounts (down to 1 ppb) even in case of unknown composition as well as high sample throughput. Within the Faculty of Chemistry, the proposed WD-RFA will hence provide a valuable tool to carry out urgently needed direct correlations between the material composition and measured intrinsic material properties as well as application-related parameters.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Wellenlängendispersives Röntgenfluoreszenzspektrometer
• Instrumentation Group: 4030 Röntgenfluoreszenz-Spektrometer
• Applicant Institution: Universität Duisburg-Essen
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Stephan Barcikowski