Non-invasive investigation of liquid materials using energy dispersive X-ray scattering

Application of the energy dispersive X-ray scattering (EDXRS) for the identification of pure liquid materials was reported for the first time. Three liquid systems of primary alcohols, benzene homologues and chloromethanes were carefully probed and the scattering spectra were described. On the basis of the different structures and compositions of these compounds, the scattering profiles of all media exhibit characteristic shapes, which implies that the EDXRS profile is unique to the specific material and significant differences of profiles amongst various liquid substances can be observed. Moreover, the result suggests that non-invasive EDXRS approach would be quite promising in the field of liquid discrimination/recognition.

► We develop a novel technique for identification of liquid by using EDXRS.
► The profiles of scattering samples reveal that the different liquids present a unique scattering profile.
► We discover that the scattering profile is related to the density, composition and molecular structure of liquid.