GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH ATOMIC-EMISSION SPECTROMETRIC DETECTION FOR THE DETERMINATION OF FLUOROETHERS

A gas chromatography-atomic emission detector (GC-AED) system is evalu ated for the simultaneous detection of fluorine- and oxygen- containin g molecules. The use of hydrogen and methane gases to produce a carbon coating on the alumina plasma discharge tube is described, thereby re ducing etching by the fluorine in the plasma. This significantly reduc es spurious oxygen signals and gives a high degree of response selecti vity against fluorinated species containing no oxygen. Information is provided on the spectroscopic nature of this plasma. Detection limits and linear response ranges when these elements are present simultaneou sly in this plasma are evaluated.