Metals distribution and investigation of L'vov platform surface using principal component analysis, multi-way principal component analysis, micro synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy after the determination of Al in a milk slurry sample

Abstract

This work describes the use of different strategies/techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), multivariate analysis (principal component analysis (PCA) and multi-way PCA) and micro synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (μSRXRF), in order to extract information about platform morphology, metals distribution on its surface, and the performance of conventional and permanent modifiers after slurry analyses using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS). With multivariate analysis it was possible to select Zr (500 μg for each 50 heating cycles) as a permanent chemical modifier for the determination of Al in milk powder slurry samples. Employing multi-way PCA and SEM, it was possible to note the differences in morphology between platforms permanently treated with Zr and those conventionally treated with Mg(NO 3) 2. The use of PCA and SEM also allowed finding similarities between new platforms, and those with and without Zr treatment. Using the μSRXRF it was possible to establish metals distribution on the L'vov platform and compare the performance of conventional [Mg(NO 3) 2] and permanent (Zr) modifiers.