INVESTIGATION OF HIGH-SENSITIVITY GC-FTIR AS AN ANALYTICAL TOOL FOR STRUCTURAL IDENTIFICATION

As part of a detailed investigation into the application of GC-FTIR in industrial and environmental analysis, representative sets of samples have been analyzed in parallel using commercial high-sensitivity inst ruments. Two of the instruments utilize low temperature storage of the GC eluate to extend the time available for FTIR analysis, yielding gr eater sensitivity than that possible by conventional 'light-pipe' GC-F TIR. In certain circumstances, instruments using both types of sample storage give rise to spectra exhibiting features characteristic of the interface used. Chromatographic resolution was found not to be signif icantly degraded by use of either sample storage interface. Particular advantages were found in having parallel flame ionization detection a nd mass spectrometry; this enabled the location of smaller components and gave greater certainty of identification.