Effects of the Nature of the Solvent and Solutes on the Response of a Light-Scattering Detector

Abstract

The effects of the nature of the solvent and solutes on the response of an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) are discussed. Data have been measured for six solutes with seven different solvents using concentric and cross-flow nebulizers. The experimental results suggest that the influence of the solvent on the properties of a dried aerosol are not properly accounted for by the equation of Nukiyama and Tanassawa. A modification of the droplet size distribution of the aerosol takes place, probably during the vaporization of the solvent. The amount of scattered light depends strongly on the molar absortivity of the solute at the light beam wavelength. Accordingly, the detector response depends on the properties of the solvent and the solute. The ELSD is not a mass detector and calibration is required for quantitative analysis.