Determining the LOD and LOQ in steel alloys analysis using NITON spectrometer

Abstract

Low concentrations standards spectrometric analysis using the NITON spectrometer require the LOD and LOQ to be determined from the analytical method along with identification of the sample matrix. The LOD (the smallest quantity of analyte that can be detected but not necessarily quantified) and LOQ (the smallest quantity of analyte that can be measured with acceptable accuracy) must be determined for each individual matrix because the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) method used by NITON spectrometer is strongly influenced by the matrix effect. This study determined LODs and LOQs for steel alloy samples using certified reference materials with low analyte concentration and compared the calculated LODs and LOQs to those specified by the manufacturer using a two-way ANOVA analysis for each chemical element.