Determination of trace perchlorate concentrations by anion-selective membranes and total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis

In the present work a method for the determination of perchlorate trace levels by total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) is introduced. Perchlorate anions were concentrated on anion-selective membranes that had been prepared on the surface of TXRF quartz reflectors. Various complexation substances were used in the membranes. The reflectors were immersed in water solutions containing nanogram per milliliter (ppb) concentrations of perchlorate. After this step, the reflectors were taken out of the solution and they were analyzed by TXRF, using a copper X-ray tube and helium flow on the target (to lower the argon peak which is present in the air). The effects of various experimental parameters were examined, and the possibility of discrimination between chloride and perchlorate anions was shown. Minimum detection limits lower than 1 ng/mL and good linearity at the concentration range of 1-50 ng/mL were achieved. The method is applicable for the analysis of perchlorate in drinking water samples.