Issue 6, 2005

Optimisation of sorbent trapping and thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometric conditions for sampling and analysis of hydrogen cyanide in air

Abstract

Among the chemicals belonging to the schedules of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), sampling and analysis of highly volatile compounds such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) require special consideration. The latter is present in numerous old chemical weapons that are stockpiled awaiting destruction in Northeastern France: thus, sampling on stockpile area and subsequent verification of HCN levels is compulsory to ensure safety of workers on these areas. The ability of several commercial sorbents to trap hydrogen cyanide at various concentration levels and in various humidity conditions, was evaluated. Furthermore, thermal desorption of the corresponding samples, followed by analysis by gas chromatographymass spectrometry was also optimised. Carbosieve S-III, a molecular sieve possessing a very high specific area, proved the most efficient sorbent for HCN sampling in all conditions tested. Conversely, the presented results show that Tenax, albeit generally considered as the reference sorbent for air monitoring and analysis of CWC-related chemicals, is not suitable for HCN trapping.

Graphical abstract: Optimisation of sorbent trapping and thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometric conditions for sampling and analysis of hydrogen cyanide in air

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Oct 2004
Accepted
31 Mar 2005
First published
18 Apr 2005

Analyst, 2005,130, 977-982

Optimisation of sorbent trapping and thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometric conditions for sampling and analysis of hydrogen cyanide in air

Y. Juillet, S. Le Moullec, A. Bégos and B. Bellier, Analyst, 2005, 130, 977 DOI: 10.1039/B416108D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements