# US 8,465,979 B2 · Method for detecting tin

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- Number: US 8,465,979 B2
- Document ID: US8465979B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/033,983
- Filed: 2011-02-24
- Published: 2012-08-30
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2011-02-24
- Assignees: General Electric Company
- Applicants: Brent Allen Clothier
- Inventors: Brent Allen Clothier
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465979B2

## CPC

- G01N 21/643: {non-biological material}
- G01N 21/91: using penetration of dyes, e.g. fluorescent ink
- G01N 21/94: Investigating contamination, e.g. dust (G01N21/85 takes precedence)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A method for the detection of tin is presented. A specimen is first contacted with a ruthenium-containing species to create a contacted region of the specimen. At least a portion of the contacted region is then irradiated by an excitation radiation and monitored for a relaxation radiation emitted in response to the excitation radiation.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for detecting the presence of tin, comprising the steps of:
(i) contacting a specimen with a ruthenium-containing species to create a contacted region of the specimen;
(ii) irradiating at least a portion of the contacted region with an excitation radiation; and
(iii) monitoring the contacted region for a relaxation radiation emitted in response to the excitation radiation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein irradiating comprises illuminating the contacted region with ultaviolet radiation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the specimen comprises a material selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, chromium, titanium, and a combination thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the specimen comprises a superalloy material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the specimen comprises a cast article.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cast article is an airfoil.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein contacting step comprises reacting the ruthenium-containing species with tin from the specimen to form a luminophore.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the luminophore comprises a ruthenium(II)-ligand complex.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting step comprises contacting the specimen with a solution of a ruthenium (III)-ligand complex in an acid.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the ruthenium(III)-ligand complex comprises a ligand selected from the group consisting of bipyridine, phenanthroline, bipyrazine, terpyridine, and triazine.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the ruthenium(III)-ligand complex comprises bipyridine.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the acid comprises sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, boric acid, a carboxylic acid or a combination thereof.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the concentration of the ruthenium(III)-ligand complex is less than about 0.01M in the solution.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting step further comprises contacting the specimen with a solvating solution.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein contacting the specimen with a solvating solution is performed prior to contacting a specimen with a ruthenium-containing species.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the solvating solution has a pH in a range from about 3 to about 6.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the solvating solution comprises a halide.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the halide comprises a fluoride, a chloride, a bromide, an iodide or a combination thereof.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein the halide comprises an alkali halide.

### Claim 20

A method for detecting the presence of tin on a surface of an article, comprising the steps of:
applying an acidic solvating solution on the surface of the article, the solvating solution comprising a halide;
applying a solution of ruthenium (III)-ligand complex on the surface to create a contacted region of the article;
irradiating at least a portion of the contacted region with an excitation radiation comprising ultraviolet radiation, and
monitoring the contacted region for a relaxation radiation emitted in response to the excitation radiation.