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Characterization of the pulsed discharge electron capture detector
H Cai1, W E Wentworth, S D Stearns
1VICI Valco Instruments Co. Inc., P.O. Box 55603, Houston, Texas 77255, and Chemistry Department, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204.
Analytical Chemistry
|May 31, 2011
Summary
A new pulsed discharge electron capture detector (PDECD) offers superior sensitivity and inertness for analyzing halocarbon compounds and pesticides. This improved detector can replace traditional radioactive electron capture detectors (ECD) in various applications.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Traditional radioactive electron capture detectors (ECD) face limitations in sensitivity and operational stability.
- The pulsed discharge electron capture detector (PDECD) offers a non-radioactive alternative for sensitive analyte detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize an improved version of the pulsed discharge electron capture detector (PDECD).
- To evaluate the performance of the enhanced PDECD against a conventional (63)Ni-ECD for analyzing halocarbon compounds and pesticides.
Main Methods:
- Modified detector geometry and materials (sapphire, quartz) for enhanced inertness.
- Optimization of operating parameters: discharge current, dopant gas (methane), bias voltage, and sample introduction.
- Comparative analysis of PDECD and (63)Ni-ECD using 23 halocarbon compounds and pesticide samples via gas chromatography (GC).
Main Results:
- The improved PDECD exhibits enhanced sensitivity (36 fg for lindane) and inertness compared to previous versions.
- PDECD demonstrates superior sensitivity, linearity, and response time over the (63)Ni-ECD.
- Successful analysis of pesticides, including real-world samples, using the optimized PDECD.
Conclusions:
- The enhanced PDECD is a highly sensitive and robust detector suitable for trace analysis.
- The PDECD offers a viable, non-radioactive alternative to conventional ECDs for pesticide and halocarbon compound detection.
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