X-ray fluorescence determination of zinc sulfate in acidic zinc plating electrolyte

Zinc sulfate is the main component in the composition of the acidic zinc plating electrolyte. Deviation in the electrolyte composition from the optimum content leads to destabilization of the electrolysis process and deteriorate the quality of the resulting zinc coating. The proper quality of a zinc coating obtained by galvanic deposition can be ensured only with timely monitoring and adjustment of the electrolyte composition. A technique of X-ray fluorescence determination of zinc (in terms of zinc sulfate) in an acidic zinc plating electrolyte is proposed. The study was carried out using an ARL Quant’X energy dispersive spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA) with a semiconductor silicon-lithium detector. The features of the spectrometer design are presented. The optimal parameters of excitation and detection of zinc radiation were specified when the electrolyte sample was diluted 1:1000. The ZnKα1 line was used as an analytical line. The plotted calibration graph is linear, the correlation coefficient being 0.999234. The results of zinc determination according to the developed method were compared with the data of the reference method of complexometric titration to prove the reliability of the procedure. The results are characterized by good convergence and accuracy. The proposed method of X-ray fluorescence zinc determination in a zinc plating electrolyte equals complexometric titration in the limiting capabilities and even exceeds the latter in terms of the simplicity of sample preparation and rapidity. The developed method of X-ray fluorescence determination of zinc is implemented in analysis of the electrolyte used in the continuous galvanizing unit at «METSERVIS LLC».