title: Characterization of thermal desorption instrumentation with a direct liquid deposition calibration method for trace 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene quantitation.
abstract: The use of thermal desorption systems for the analysis of trace vapors typically requires establishing a calibration curve from vapors generated with a permeation tube. The slow equilibration time of permeation tubes causes such an approach to become laborious when covering a wide dynamic range. Furthermore, many analytes of interest, such as explosives, are not available as permeation tubes. A method for easily and effectively establishing calibration curves for explosive vapor samples via direct deposition of standard solutions on thermal desorption tubes was investigated. The various components of the thermal desorption system were compared to a standard split/splitless inlet. Calibration curves using the direct liquid deposition method with a thermal desorption unit coupled to a cryo-focusing inlet were compared to a standard split/splitless inlet, and a statistical difference was observed but does not eliminate or deter the use of the direct liquid deposition method for obtaining quantitative results for explosive vapors.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Division, USA Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA. christopher.field@nrl.navy.mil
authors.forename: Christopher R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: Braden C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Duane A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Adam L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lubrano
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rose-Pehrsson
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D053834:Explosive Agents / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013696:Temperature; D014303:Trinitrotoluene / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D053834:Explosive Agents; D005740:Gases; D014303:Trinitrotoluene