Improvement in the detection limits of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy by utilization of Ag-nanoparticles
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| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is one of atomic emission spectroscopy methods for spectrochemical analysis of elemental composition of materials under investigation. Briefly, high energy laser pulse is focused on the surface of the sample and consequently laser-induced plasma (LIP) is produced. Radiation of such produced LIP is then spectrally resolved and used for spectrochemical qualitative and quantitative analysis of the sample. LIBS is a straightforward technique capable of real-time, preparation-less, essentially quasi-destructive determination of the elemental composition of a sample in any state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas). Samples may content many additives in different concentrations – so called trace elements. Low concentrations of trace elements are often under the detection limits (LODs) of LIBS technique. Therefore, there exist several possibilities how to improve LODs (such as double-pulse LIBS, LIBS coupled with laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, etc.). In general, sensitivity of LIBS technique (in units of ppm) is one of its slight limitations, however this phenomenon is currently being improved. In presented study, the LODs for selected trace elements were enhanced using silver nanoparticles. The Ag-nanoparticles, spread directly onto the surface of studied sample as a small drop, increase the intensity of detected signal and consequently improves LODs of this instrument with no further need for preparation of the analyzed material. Nanoparticles are very common, easy available and their effects are studied in different scientific fields from medicine to engineering. The improvement in LODs of selected trace elements can be beneficial in the detection of heavy metals in environment. |
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