Determination of base metals and gold in Pb-Sb sulfosalt mineral boulangerite using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

Abstract

Gold (Au) is an economically important metal. Its determination is a challenging and crucial task due to its presence in low concentration and heterogeneous distribution in gold-bearing minerals. The suitability and performance of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to identify base and precious metals, especially gold, in a boulangerite sample was evaluated. X-ray diffractometer phase analysis was carried out to determine constituent phases, revealing the presence of boulangerite, tridymite and galena. Analysis of the optical emission spectra obtained on the boulangerite surface using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at a fundamental harmonic (1064 nm) in the 200-720 nm spectral range revealed the presence of Pb,

Effects of sample surface morphology on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

“…Assuming that the plasma is in local thermodynamic equilibrium, the temperature of the plasma can be determined by the Boltzmann plot technique. 21 The calculation formula is as follows:where I is the line intensity, λ is the wavelength of the measured element, A ki is the transition probability from high energy to low energy, g k is the statistical weight, E k is the energy of the upper level, U S ( T ) is the partition function, c is the speed of light, h is the Planck constant, N is the atomic number density in the plasma and k B is the Boltzmann constant. When X = E k , , eqn (2) can be abbreviated to eqn (3). Y = kX + b According to eqn (3), the slope k can be obtained from the values of Y / X , and the plasma temperature T can be calculated from k .…”

“…Assuming that the plasma is in local thermodynamic equilibrium, the temperature of the plasma can be determined by the Boltzmann plot technique. 21 The calculation formula is as follows:…”

Multiway Calibration Strategies in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: A Proposal

“…Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an analytical instrumental technique that has been increasingly utilized in the scientific field to obtain information on the elemental chemical composition in several types of samples. − LIBS employs a laser source and focus lenses to focus radiation on a small region of the sample. The radiation is quickly absorbed and converted into heating up to the limit of degradation of the material, resulting in vaporization, atomization, and ionization of the analyzed region.…”