Coupling Gas Chromatography (GC) and Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Drugs, Explosives and Ignitable Liquids

Monday, March 08, 2021: 2:30 PM - 2:50 PM

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Description

Since its inception in 2014, Gas Chromatography/Vacuum UV Spectroscopy (GC/VUV) has found several important applications in forensic chemistry. GC/VUV effectively combines a highly efficient separation step with the sensitivity, selectivity and specificity of spectra in the VUV region (100 - 200 nm). Given that almost all molecules absorb in this wavelength range, VUV is a nearly universal detector. High sensitivity is possible as the molar absorptivity of compounds in the VUV is often several orders of magnitude higher than in the traditional UV range (200 - 400 nm). VUV data can also be filtered to selectively detect particular compound classes like aliphatics, aromatics, phenylethylamines, nitro compounds, and more. The specificity of VUV arises from the variety of excited states that can be probed. In some explosive molecules, thermolysis can be induced and a highly structured spectrum results that reflects the gaseous products that are characteristic of the original molecule. Optimization of GC/VUV parameters can significantly improve its sensitivity, making it comparable to Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) in scan mode. This has allowed for GC/VUV to be used successfully in the identification of post-blast residues of explosives, ignitable liquid residues, and trace components in seized drug exhibits.

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Additional Info

Keywords: Please select up to 4 keywords ONLY:
Instrumentation,Multichannel Spectrometry (CCD CID, array),Trace Analysis,Homeland Defense