An improved procedure for analysis of PM10 filters by X-ray powder diffraction

Abstract

Speciation results from earlier methods of quantitative analysis of TSP, dichotomous, and PM₁₀ filters for compounds by XRD were often marginal to unacceptable because of very light loadings and the interfering effects of substrate fibres in cases of ultrasonic extraction and concentration. A method for analysis of very lightly loaded PM₁₀ filters has been developed, using ultrasonic particle stripping, X-ray transmission of unloaded blank filters, substrate diffraction X-ray analysis, and mass absorption balance, along with the usual X-ray diffraction scanning. Analysis of a set of filters having less than 105 μg m cm⁻² sample load is used to illustrate the improved procedure.