Exploring LIBS for simultaneous estimation of Sr, Ba and La in LiCl-KCl salt

Abstract

In this work, we report the simultaneous estimation of Sr, Ba and La in LiCl-KCl salt using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The samples are prepared in aqueous medium and the solution is spread over a filter paper. The laser (532 nm) is focussed on the paper to produce plasma in air at atmospheric pressure. Using Yb (369.42 nm) as an internal standard, linear calibration curves are obtained from 50−800 ppm for Sr (421.55 nm), 50−1000 ppm for Ba (455.40 nm) and 300−4000 ppm for La (394.91 nm) with a detection limit of 21, 19 and 68 ppm, respectively in 12.5 % salt matrix. Salt effect on LIBS intensity is studied and found to be negligible over 5–20 % of salt. Low value of correlation uncertainty (5–11 %) illustrates that LIBS technique has a great potential for monitoring the quality of pyro-processing salt.