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...

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Main Authors: E. Bunert, A. T. Kirk, J. Oermann, S. Zimmermann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2017-12-01
Series:Journal of Sensors and Sensor Systems
Online Access:https://www.j-sens-sens-syst.net/6/381/2017/jsss-6-381-2017.pdf
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author E. Bunert
A. T. Kirk
J. Oermann
S. Zimmermann
author_facet E. Bunert
A. T. Kirk
J. Oermann
S. Zimmermann
author_sort E. Bunert
collection DOAJ
description 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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spelling doaj.art-0f4ed670510f43f6a34994c4b56141552022-12-21T17:33:21ZengCopernicus PublicationsJournal of Sensors and Sensor Systems2194-87712194-878X2017-12-01638138710.5194/jsss-6-381-2017Electron capture detector based on a non-radioactive electron source: operating parameters vs. analytical performanceE. Bunert0A. T. Kirk1J. Oermann2S. Zimmermann3Institute of Electrical Engineering and Measurement Technology, Department of Sensors and Measurement Technology, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, GermanyInstitute of Electrical Engineering and Measurement Technology, Department of Sensors and Measurement Technology, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, GermanyInstitute of Electrical Engineering and Measurement Technology, Department of Sensors and Measurement Technology, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, GermanyInstitute of Electrical Engineering and Measurement Technology, Department of Sensors and Measurement Technology, Leibniz Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, GermanyGas 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).https://www.j-sens-sens-syst.net/6/381/2017/jsss-6-381-2017.pdf
spellingShingle E. Bunert
A. T. Kirk
J. Oermann
S. Zimmermann
Electron capture detector based on a non-radioactive electron source: operating parameters vs. analytical performance
Journal of Sensors and Sensor Systems
title Electron capture detector based on a non-radioactive electron source: operating parameters vs. analytical performance
title_full Electron capture detector based on a non-radioactive electron source: operating parameters vs. analytical performance
title_fullStr Electron capture detector based on a non-radioactive electron source: operating parameters vs. analytical performance
title_full_unstemmed Electron capture detector based on a non-radioactive electron source: operating parameters vs. analytical performance
title_short Electron capture detector based on a non-radioactive electron source: operating parameters vs. analytical performance
title_sort electron capture detector based on a non radioactive electron source operating parameters vs analytical performance
url https://www.j-sens-sens-syst.net/6/381/2017/jsss-6-381-2017.pdf
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AT joermann electroncapturedetectorbasedonanonradioactiveelectronsourceoperatingparametersvsanalyticalperformance
AT szimmermann electroncapturedetectorbasedonanonradioactiveelectronsourceoperatingparametersvsanalyticalperformance