Separation and determination of organics in air particulate matters using a new technique, low-volume liquid chromatography

Abstract

A novel liquid Chromatographic method is presented. It saves both time and solvent. A1₂O₃ is used as the column packing material. A mixture of hexane and benzene (3:1 v/v) and benzene are used to develop the column sequentially. Alkane fraction, aromatics fraction (PAH) and polar component fraction are obtained. PAH is determined by Capillary Column Gas Chromatography. PAH in air paniculate matter of a Chinese city were determined by DCC. Recovery of 10 PAH is 81–99% (average 87.5%). The coefficient of variation of concentration is 4–21% (average 14%). This method is cost-effective; it takes $\text{1}\text{4}$ of the time and $\text{1}\text{10}$ solvent volume compared with conventional liquid chromatography.