Chromatography Forum

Hello,

Is it possible to analyse the concentration of NO in a sample by GC using FID detection? Or do I need to use TCD?

Barbara

Your best choice would be a Helium Ionization detector by AIC, or Valco, or Gow-Mac.

What is several thousands of dollars when you need the best, most accurate, and LOWEST numbers possible?

Want more?

A Mass Spec for tens of thousands of dollars?

Low temperature porous polymer packed column is the best column choice, but get the best packed, not the cheapest. It does make a difference. Ask for cleaned packing to be used when you order. Pay the few dollars more for much improved performance and fewer and smaller voids. Yes, into our lives a few voids must fall.

Have a good week,

Rod

Barbara,

Depends a lot on the level. If hundreds of ppm then a TCD would work fine I think. If low level or really low level then I would recommend a PID or an AID (argon ionization detector.) (The standard disclaimer applies here, I make both of these detectors.) With an IP of about 9.2 both of these detectors would have good sensitivity for low level NO. I am not sure the impact of the window in the PID but this compound has been done by AID and I can post a chromatogram if you would like. You will need to watch out for CO2 as it may be a potential interference. The other thing to be aware of is reactivity and this is one of the big reasons to pay attention to column quality.

In this particular case, I would not recommend an HID since you will have to have very good separations since the HID will see everything else you throw at it. I often state that an HID is like a TCD on steroids, it will see everything but with much stronger signals (lower detection limits.)

Best regards,

AICMM

Thanks so much for both your replies! Much appreciated.

Barbara