Abstract
The determination of desorption efficiencies is a critical component in the analysis vapors adsorbed on activated charcoal. This especially difficult with polar compounds where the desorption efficiencies are often low. Three preparation methods for desorpotion efficiency samples—liquid spike, vapor spike, and phase equilibrium—are evaluated and compared for acetone. A large number of sample was prepared for each method, with acetone loadings ranging from 0.05 mg to 4.50 mg. Each data set, representing a preparation method was fitted to a linear model where the overall desorption efficiency was calculated from the solpes. A statistical analysis of the linear mode showed that each spiking method provides significantly different desorption efficiencies. The vapor and liquid spikes gave similar result while the phase equilibrium results did not appear to reflect desorption mechanism.