Compound retention dependence of the response in a gas chromatography atomic emission detection system

The relationship between the response of a laboratory-made GC-microwave-induced helium plasma atomic emission detection (MIP) system prototype and compound nature was studied by monitoring the carbon 247.9 nm atomic emission line. The test samples for this study were solutions of alkanes, arenes and haloarenes prepared at two concentration levels; varied plasma generation conditions (microwave input powers and helium support plasma gas flows) were evaluated. The statistical examination of the data pointed to a dependence between MIP signal and compound retention - less retained compounds tend to show reduced MIP signals. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.