Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Active Nitrogen-Induced Chemiluminescence

摘要

A gentle molecular excitation source based upon energy transfer from metastable nitrogen molecules in a nitrogen afterglow is presented. A dielectric discharge through flowing nitrogen is shown to generate a large population of metastable nitrogen molecules and very few nitrogen atoms. The effect of adding argon or helium to the afterglow is described. Chemiluminescence spectra of benzene, naphthalene and anthracene are presented. Limits of detection (LODs) for several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and hydrocarbons are listed for single and multichannel detection. Most LODs with single channel detection are in the tenths of a nanogram range. Multichannel detection limits are poorer. Initial results of a hydrocarbon and a PAH mixture separated on a gas chromatographic column and multichannel detection are presented.