Electrochemical X-ray fluorescence now done in situ

Readers may remember that electrochemical X-ray fluorescence developed by Prof. Julie V. Macpherson's group at Warwick University, England can analyze sub-ppb level heavy elements in solution (See, News in No.5, Vol.43 (2014)). Recently the research team published their successful extension of the technique to in situ time-evolution analysis. Their electrode is a freestanding film of boron-doped diamond, and it can work also as an X-ray window. Primary X-rays pass through the back side of the electrode and excite the heavy elements in the electrodeposit on the electrode. In addition to quantitative analysis of a mixed solution of Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Fe³⁺(all at 10 μM concentration), time-evolution analysis of electrodeposition can be a very promising application of this unique method. For more information, see the paper, "Direct Identification and Analysis of Heavy Metals in Solution (Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni) by Use of in Situ Electrochemical X.ray Fluorescence", G. D. O'Neil et al., Anal. Chem. 87, 4933 (2015).