PREPARATION OF QUARTZ FIBER FILTER STANDARDS FOR X-RAY-FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS OF AEROSOL SAMPLES

Results are presented for an intercomparison of two different techniqu es to produce standard filter materials for the energy-dispersive x-ra y analysis of aerosol filter samples, In one, multi-element standard s olutions were dropped on to Munktell quartz-fibre filters and air drie d. The other technique utilized an aerosol generator. The dried aeroso l was deposited on the filter surface, Extensive calibration procedure s were performed with both types of standards. The data were applied t o the analysis of urban aerosol filter samples. The results indicated that the aerosol technique provides good accuracy even for elements of atomic numbers below 30. The dropping technique is not applicable far fibre filters and the calibration of light elements (atomic number <3 0) and achieves lower accuracy. Therefore, the aerosol technique shoul d be applied generally to the preparation of standard filters. This me thod provides small particles and homogeneous coatings of the multi-el ement standards.