On the performance and inertness of different materials used for the enrichment of sulfur compounds from air and gaseous samples

The performance of the sorbent polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is compared to t hat of the adsorbents Carbotrap and Tenax for the enrichment of volatile an d reactive sulfur compounds. These included: 1- and 2-propanethiol, tetrahy drothiophene, 2-thioethanol and 2-ethylthioethanol. Several artifact-formin g reactions were identified on both Tenax and Carbotrap including: H2S elim ination and dimerization of thiols. Additionally, permanent adsorption was also observed for heavier solutes. These effects are absent when PDMS is ap plied. This superior performance is explained by the absence of catalytic o r adsorptive activity on PDMS. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.