Abstract
In this paper, the preparation of low-cost samples, for the calibration of an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence system is presented. The entire procedure is proposed as an undergraduate or postgraduate student laboratory activity, which aims to familiarize students with the procedure of calibration of a spectroscopy-based analytical method through the XRF technique. Furthermore, the use of XRF for the determination of elemental concentrations in samples related to students' interests, was attempted.