SOLID-MATRIX LUMINESCENCE FROM TRACE ORGANIC-COMPOUNDS IN GLASSES PREPARED FROM SUGARS

A new kind of solid matrix, glasses from sugars, was developed for tra ce organic analysis. Clear glasses of glucose and trehalose were prepa red by evaporating the sugar solutions onto solid supports. It was det ermined that the ratio of methanol to water was very important in form ing a clear glass. Also, glasses made from pure trehalose often cracke d. However, with the addition of 8-10% NaCl to the trehalose, no crack s were formed. Clear and rigid glasses of both glucose and trehalose/N aCl were obtained on quartz plates. Strong room-temperature fluorescen ce (RTF) and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) were obtained from benzo[f]quinoline (B[f]Q), 4-phenylphenol (4-PP), B[a]P-r-7,t-8,9,c-1 O-tetrahydrotetrol (tetrol I-1), triphenylene, and phenanthrene. The l imits of detection (LODs) of both the RTF and RTP for 4-PP and B[f]Q i n the glasses were in the subnanogram/milligram range.