SOLID-SURFACE ROOM-TEMPERATURE PHOSPHORESCENCE OF POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZOFURANS ENHANCED BY A SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT

Room temperature phosphorescence characteristics on filter paper of di benzofuran (DF) and several polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in t he presence of different heavy atoms in conjunction with a surface act ive agent, sodium lauryl sulfate (NaLS), have been studied. The use of this surfactant produces an enhancement of the phosphorescence intens ity in all the cases studied, which improve the sensitivity in the det ermination of DF and PCDFs. The optimization of experimental condition s like type of filter paper, drying and cooling times of the filter pa per after spotting the sample, irradiation time, concentration of heav y atom and concentration of surfactant has been carried out. Phosphore scence lifetimes, linear dynamic range, relative standard deviation an d limit of detection of the different compounds were also determined.