Empirical method of matrix effect elimination for samples of ‘intermediate’ thickness in EDXRF analysis

A method of elimination of absorption matrix effects in samples of ‘intermediate’ thickness, based on the use of measurements of the intensities of fluorescent X‐rays of all determined elements and the intensity of Compton back‐scattered radiation, is described. An empirical correction equation proposed in this paper has been checked experimentally using the samples obtained by precipitation of several elements from water solution by sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NaDDTC). The accuracy of determinations of Cr, Fe, Zn and Pb varies from 1 to 18% (1 s.d.) for mass per unit area from 2000 to 60 μg cm −2 , respectively.