Evaluation and production of synthetic calibrating material for direct analysis of wood by LIBS

Abstract

Laser induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) has become an attractive and much explored technique in chemical analysis. In addition to all positive characteristics associated to solid sampling techniques, LIBS allows simultaneous multielemental determination and in-situ analysis, since portable instruments are available. Despite all advantages, quantitative analysis is not an easy task and has been considered the "Achilles heel" of LIBS technique. This fact is related to the difficulty in method calibration especially due to the non-availability of solid standards and to the strong matrix interference. In this context, the aim of this project is the production and evaluation of the applicability of spiked filter paper and/or high purity cellulose, wood and babassu mesocarp as synthetic calibrating material in the determination of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn and Si in direct analysis of wood samples (and plant) by LIBS. Elements, such as C, P and N will also be determined. Aiming to explore other potentiality of LIBS technique, it is also proposed the classification of wood samples using emission spectra associated to data treatment using chemometric tool. Other objective is to explore the possibility to use LIBS in the investigation of certified reference material (CRM) microhomogeneity. A comparison of the LIBS and LA-ICP OES performance in these analyses will also be done. (AU)