Revealing Elemental Quantification in Metal Leaching with TESCAN Spectral CT

Visualize and quantify leaching dynamics in real time using TESCAN UniTOM XL Spectral and its unique spectral imaging capabilities 

The race to secure critical raw materials demands fresh insight into how metals dissolve, interact, and move through complex materials. This application note explores how TESCAN’s 4D Spectral CT—combined with dynamic micro-CT—delivers a new level of clarity in visualizing the leaching of cerussite (PbCO₃) with a sustainable acid alternative.

By capturing both structural and elemental data over time, researchers can observe where and when metal dissolution occurs, quantify changes in real time, and identify elements through their spectral signatures—such as the K-edge of lead at 88 keV.

See the Process Unfold: 4D in Motion

Explore video excerpts from the experiment below, including:

2D YZ cross-sectional slices through the sample

3D rendering of the gas phase

3D rendering of the cerussite distribution

Why It Matters

This study showcases how TESCAN Spectral CT supports next-generation materials research with:

• Voxel-level spectral data for direct elemental identification

• High-speed, dynamic scanning to capture fast-changing processes

• Trusted quantification of chemical and physical changes in-situ

Whether you're optimizing metal recovery from ores or validating greener leaching agents, TESCAN equips you with the insight to lead confidently.

Further Reading

• Innovations in Food Process Engineering with TESCAN micro-CT: An Interview with Sebastian Gruber

• Integration of Temperature Control in Acquisition Software: Heating of Li-ion Battery and Visualisation of Electrolyte Dynamics