Conference Agenda

We present a unified X-ray Emission Spectroscopy (XES) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) approach for real-time, in situ characterization of materials, demonstrated on Co2FeSi Heusler alloys under varied heat treatments. The combination of XES and XRD is particularly well-suited to Heusler alloys, where subtle changes in atomic ordering and electronic structure (e.g. site occupancy, hybridization, and spin state) are tightly interdependent and critical for their magnetic and transport properties. In addition, this method enables more efficient materials design by reducing experimental iterations through comprehensive structural and electronic analysis. Developed at the mySpot beamline at BESSY-II, the platform integrates (a) digital twin-based experiment planning, (b) open-source XES spectral simulations, (c) an optimized single-shot, two-element XES setup with sub-pixel resolution for enhanced energy precision, and (d) result-driven beamtime utilization. With an unprecedented synchronized XES-XRD platform, we aim to shed light on how diffusion-controlled processes in Heusler alloys and double perovskites at elevated temperatures establish the formation of specific phases with distinct structure types in real time. This, in turn, strongly impacts the functional properties of the materials under scrutiny.

Nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly recognized for their diverse applications, primarily due to their unique properties at the nanoscale. To effectively analyze these particles, precise characterization is essential, with Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) emerging as a vital technique for nanoparticle analysis [1].

However, traditional SP-ICP-MS methods, which are tailored for analyzing NPs in suspension, encounter issues such as sample stability, inefficiencies in sample introduction, and spectral interferences from the medium. To overcome these challenges, employing laser ablation (LA) as a solid sample analysis technique offers significant advantages for NP characterization [2-4].

Generally, for SP-ICP-MS, the need for fast data acquisition is critical, as NPs generate extremely narrow signal peaks. This means that Quadrupole-ICP-MS typically analyzes only a single element for SP measurements, since it operates sequentially. In contrast, for multi-element nanoparticle analysis, an ICP-TOF-MS is required to simultaneously monitor multiple m/z values during the short signal spikes produced by the nanoparticles.

However, by applying collision/reaction gases, these signal peaks can be effectively widened as demonstrated by Bolea-Fernandez et al [5]. Chun et al. [6] presented a method that applied this peak broadening with reaction gases to facilitate dual-isotope measurements of individual NPs with a quadrupole ICP-MS.

This study combines the peak-broadening approach that facilitates multi-element SP-Q-ICP-MS with LA as the sampling technique. It was applied for the analysis of Gadolinium doped Ceria (GDC) nanoparticles, which are used in electrochemistry for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. The direct analysis introduces novel benefits to the procedure, and the results aim to contribute to the ongoing evolution of laser ablation SP-ICP-MS methodologies.

[1] D. Mozhayeva and C. Engelhard, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2020, 35, 1740–1783.

[2] S. Yamashita, Y. Yoshikuni, H. Obayashi, T. Suzuki, D. Green and T. Hirata, Anal. Chem., 2019, 91, 4544–4551.

[3] D. Metarapi, M. Šala, K. Vogel-Mikuš, V. S. Šelih and J. T. Van Elteren, Anal. Chem., 2019, 91, 6200–6205.

[4] L. Kronlachner, Z. Gajarska, P. Becker, D. Gunther and A. Limbeck, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2025, 40, 467–477.

[5] E. Bolea-Fernandez et al., Anal. Chim. Acta, 2019, 1077, 95–106.

[6] K. H. Chun, J. T. S. Lum and K. S. Y. Leung, Anal. Chim. Acta, 2022, 1192, 339389.

The increasing demand for sustainable waste management in post-disaster scenarios highlights the urgent need for innovative and efficient recovery strategies. A key challenge in C&DW recycling is the heterogeneous and potentially hazardous nature of the materials. To address this challenge, cutting-edge Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) combined with chemometric modeling has been investigated and implemented as a powerful, non-destructive, and high-throughput approach for the classification of debris components. HSI captures detailed spectral signatures across the visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) ranges, enabling the precise identification and differentiation of materials such as concrete, mortar, bricks, tiles, ceramics, and other constituents commonly found in construction and demolition waste. The use of Partial Least Squares - Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) further enhances the system’s ability to distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable fractions, paving the way for automated waste sorting.

Beyond optimizing waste recovery efficiency, this approach unlocks new opportunities for repurposing fine-grained C&DW fractions, which are traditionally discarded. By transforming these materials into valuable resources for eco-friendly construction products and environmental remediation, the study promotes a circular economy paradigm in the construction sector. The adoption of HSI-based classification systems can revolutionize material recovery processes, reducing landfill dependency and fostering a more resilient and sustainable approach to post-disaster waste management.

The study was developed in the framework of the RUB2RES (Rubble-to-Resource: Earth science knowledge for sorting and recycling Construction and Demolition Waste) [https://bscndr.wixsite.com/my-site-2] project - PRIN (Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale) 2022. The project aims to develop advanced methodologies for the classification and recovery of Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW), mainly focusing on post-earthquake debris from Marche, Abruzzo, and Emilia-Romagna. Following the 2016–2017 earthquakes in Central Italy, an estimated 2.7 million tons of rubble were generated, emphasizing the necessity of a systematic and scalable approach to waste valorization.