Development of split–splitless PTV large-volume injection for analytes covering a wide boiling point range

Abstract

A programmed-temperature vaporiser (PTV)–large-volume injection (LVI) method with a two-stage evaporation process was developed capable of effectively introducing analytes covering a wide boiling-point range (from that of n-nonane to that of n-tetracontane). The method uses speed-controlled sample introduction (50 µL) and a simple PTV setup with Peltier Cooling. Besides, an important cause of discrimination of high-boiling compounds in LVI was identified. The method was successfully applied to simplify the sample preparation in the extractable petroleum hydrocarbon analysis of water and soil samples. The method proved to be resistant to matrix contamination. Linearity was tested between 0.01 and 20 µg mL⁻¹. The correlation coefficients ranged from 0.996 to 0.999. The relative standard deviation calculated from five parallel runs was 2.73%. The major advantage of the method is its simplicity making it an attainable choice for smaller environmental laboratories.

Keywords:

• large-volume injection (LVI)
• programmed-temperature vaporiser (PTV)
• extractable petroleum hydrocarbon (EPH)

Acknowledgements

This work was made possible by financial assistance from the WESSLING International Research and Educational Center and the Kromat Ltd.