Abstract
A simple method for preparation of samples for XRF analysis was developed using cellulose powder as matrix. The relative XRF (Kα, Lα, Lβ) intensities of 63 elements from Mg to U were measured, and then those of the other 11 elements were estimated from the results. The Kα X-ray intensity of K and Sr were used as the unit standard intensities for the elements of atomic number less than 19 and for the elements of atomic number larger than 19, respectively. The environmental standard samples (Chlorella, Pepperbush) were analyzed using the relative intensity values. The analytical results by the proposed method well coincided with the certified values offered from Environmental Agency, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki, Japan. Green tea, black tea and flower tea leaves were analyzed as examples of natural samples by the method. The minimum detectable amounts, which depend on elements, were about 110 μg for the elements from Mn to Ba and those from Er to U. The proposed method is applicable not only to plant samples, but also to liquid samples.
