Electron capture detector based on a non-radioactive electron source: operating parameters vs. analytical performance
Gas chromatographs with electron capture detectors are widely used for the analysis of electron affine substances such as pesticides or chlorofluorocarbons. With detection limits in the low ppt<sub>v</sub> range, electron capture detectors are the most sensitive detectors available f...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2017-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Sensors and Sensor Systems |
| Online Access: | https://www.j-sens-sens-syst.net/6/381/2017/jsss-6-381-2017.pdf |
| Summary: | Gas chromatographs with electron capture detectors are widely
used for the analysis of electron affine substances such as pesticides or
chlorofluorocarbons. With detection limits in the low ppt<sub>v</sub>
range, electron capture detectors are the most sensitive detectors available
for such compounds. Based on their operating principle, they require free
electrons at atmospheric pressure, which are usually generated by a
<i>β</i><sup>−</sup> decay. However, the use of radioactive materials leads to
regulatory restrictions regarding purchase, operation, and disposal. Here, we
present a novel electron capture detector based on a non-radioactive electron
source that shows similar detection limits compared to radioactive detectors
but that is not subject to these limitations and offers further advantages
such as adjustable electron densities and energies. In this work we show
first experimental results using 1,1,2-trichloroethane and sevoflurane, and
investigate the effect of several operating parameters on the analytical
performance of this new non-radioactive electron capture detector (ECD). |
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| ISSN: | 2194-8771 2194-878X |