Application of Total-Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry to Elemental Toner Analysis

Abstract

Total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) was applied to elemental analysis of toners and of a copied letter. Four different elements, Fe, Cu, Cr and Ti, were detected as main elements in four different toners, and each one of these toners could be discriminated easily from the others. Also, each one of six toners which contained Fe as a main element could be differentiated from the others by the comparison of elemental ratios of trace elements in toners. Moreover, elements composing a toner could be detected in a single copied letter and a trace amount of the toner was found to attach to a paper surface, which looked white in appearance, after a copy process.
Se, detected in a recovered toner from a copy machine which had been used for a long time, was concluded to be derived from the photosensitive drum material of the copy machine.