Quantitative analysis of Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) ceramics by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in combination with multivariate calibration

• Chemometrics strategies for metals determination in PZT ceramics
• Univariate and multivariate comparison for Pb, Ti, Zr and Sr determination
• Data set normalization by sum of emission spectra signal
• LIBS comparison with PIXE results for the set of samples

In PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) ceramics, stoichiometric composition is closely related with physical properties and applications. Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) have shown to be a suitable technique for analyzing many types of solid samples, usually in combination with multivariate techniques. In this study, a method for quick determination of Pb, Zr, Ti and Sr in PZT ceramics using LIBS was proposed. Spectral data is analyzed with PLS (Partial Least Squares), providing results better than Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and external calibration, when compared with previous determination of the same group of ceramics by PIXE (Particle Induced X-ray Emission). Most of predicted individual concentrations were between 98 and 102% of the reference value for Pb, and between 90 and 110% for the rest of the elements.