Simultaneous element-selective detection of C, F, Cl, Br, and I by capillary gas chromatography coupled with microplasma mass spectrometry

Cato Brede*, Elsa Lundanes, Tyge Greibrokk, Stig Pedersen-Bjergaard

*Corresponding author for this work
    19 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Simultaneous element-selective detection of the halogens and carbon was accomplished with capillary gas chromatography coupled with microplasma mass spectrometry. The microplasma ion source was a radio frequency plasma contained inside the last 4-5 cm of the 0.32 mm i.d. fused silica capillary column. The ion source was located inside the high vacuum housing of the MS, and only the GC carrier gas (2.3 mL min-1 of helium) was used for plasma generation. Atomic ions were detected in the positive mode. Detection limits were in the low picogram area, and the selectivity to carbon ranged from 8 x 102 for fluorine to higher than 104 for the other halogens. By introduction of both hydrogen and oxygen as reagent gases, peak tailing was avoided by suppression of analyte reactions with the silica walls of the ion source. Special attention was given to the fluorine-selective detection due to an interfering background species at m/z 19, assumed to be H3O+ originating from the reagent gases. The background signal was minimized by careful control of the power level.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalHRC Journal of High Resolution Chromatography
    Volume21
    Issue number12
    Pages (from-to)633-639
    Number of pages7
    ISSN0935-6304
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1998

    Keywords

    • Capillary gas chromatography
    • Element-selective detection
    • Microplasma mass spectrometry
    • Radio frequency plasma

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