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Phase identification of individual crystalline particles by combining EDX and EBSD: application to workplace aerosols

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Abstract

This paper discusses the combined use of electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) to identify unknown phases in particulate matter from different workplace aerosols. Particles of α-silicon carbide (α-SiC), manganese oxide (MnO) and α-quartz (α-SiO2) were used to test the method. Phase identification of spherical manganese oxide particles from ferromanganese production, with diameter less than 200 nm, was unambiguous, and phases of both MnO and Mn3O4 were identified in the same agglomerate. The same phases were identified by selected area electron diffraction (SAED) in transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The method was also used to identify the phases of different SiC fibres, and both β-SiC and α-SiC fibres were found. Our results clearly demonstrate that EBSD combined with EDX can be successfully applied to the characterisation of workplace aerosols.

Secondary electron image of an agglomerate of manganese oxide particles collected at a ferromanganese smelter (a). EDX spectrum of the particle highlighted by an arrow (b). Indexed patterns after dynamic background subtraction from three particles shown with numbers in a (c)

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Acknowledgments

The financial support by the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise Working Environment Fund is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Biological Work Environment, National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O.Box 8149 DEP, 0033, Oslo, Norway

    Torunn Kringlen Ervik, Stephan Weinbruch, Asbjørn Skogstad, Yngvar Thomassen, Dag G. Ellingsen & Balázs Berlinger

  2. Institute of Applied Geosciences, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 9, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany

    Nathalie Benker & Stephan Weinbruch

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  1. Torunn Kringlen Ervik
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Ervik, T.K., Benker, N., Weinbruch, S. et al. Phase identification of individual crystalline particles by combining EDX and EBSD: application to workplace aerosols. Anal Bioanal Chem 410, 2711–2721 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-018-0949-2

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