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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Quantitative Detection of Trace Explosive Vapors by Programmed Temperature Desorption Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector
Published on: July 25, 2014
Factors influencing evaporation from sample cups and assessment of their effect on analytical error
Abstract:
We studied sample evaporation and its effect on analytical error. Several factors influencing evaporative loss have been identified and measured: environmental, instrumental, and operational factors, and the chemical and physical properties of the sample and its container. Such losses from several different types of sample cups have been measured, either chemically or gravimetrically, and compared with those calculated by using a model that allows evaporative loss from a cup of known geometry to be predicted under various environmental conditions. We discuss some steps that may be taken to minimize evaporative loss and give an example to demonstrate that analytical error from this source can be decreased to a routine 1--2% or less by selecting a particular cup design.
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