Gas chromatography with atomic emission spectrometric detection for the determination of fluoroethers

Abstract

A gas chromatography–atomic emission detector (GC–AED) system is evaluated for the simultaneous detection of fluorine- and oxygen-containing molecules. The use of hydrogen and methane gases to produce a carbon coating on the alumina plasma discharge tube is described, thereby reducing etching by the fluorine in the plasma. This significantly reduces spurious oxygen signals and gives a high degree of response selectivity against fluorinated species containing no oxygen. Information is provided on the spectroscopic nature of this plasma. Detection limits and linear response ranges when these elements are present simultaneously in this plasma are evaluated.