High sensitivity detection of heavy metal elements in water by polishing assisted SE-LIBS

Abstract

This study presents a highly sensitive method for detecting heavy metals (Cr, Cu, and Pb) in water using surface-enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (SE-LIBS) with a sandpaper-polished metal substrate. Solutions containing Cr, Cu, and Pb were applied to an Al metal substrate polished with 2000 mesh sandpaper. The polishing process reduced the “coffee ring effect”, promoting a more even distribution of elements, improving spectral stability, and minimizing experimental errors. The quantitative analysis results show that the detection limits of Cr, Cu and Pb were 1.02, 1.23 and 3.26 ng mL⁻¹. This method dramatically enhances the sensitivity, accuracy and stability of heavy metal detection, and plays a key role in water quality monitoring and environmental pollution analysis.