Parametric evaluation for programmable temperature vaporisation large volume injection in gas chromatographic determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Abstract

This work is a thorough investigation on the major operating parameters of the programmable temperature vaporisation (PTV) inlet used for gas chromatographic injection, including injection mode and volume, inlet temperature, vent and purge flow rates. The results clearly demonstrate the advantage of large volume injection in enhancing the detection of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Partial loss of injected PBDEs occurred during solvent venting and due to incomplete sample transfer. Such loss was minimised by lowering the initial inlet temperature and vent flow and elevating the final inlet temperature. The results show that 50 mL/min vent flow, as low as 0°C initial and higher than 300°C final inlet temperatures produced the relatively high responses. Two mass spectrometric parameters were also evaluated. Indoor dust, lake sediment and human placenta tissue samples were analysed to demonstrate reliability and sensitivity improvement of the PTV large volume injection.

Keywords:

• gas chromatography
• PTV
• large volume injection
• polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Acknowledgements

The project was supported by The United States National Science Foundation (Grant No. CBET-0756428) and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Grant No. R03ES015608). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences or the National Institutes of Health.