NEW APPLICATIONS OF CHEMILUMINESCENCE FOR SELECTIVE GAS ANALYSIS

Chemiluminescence (CL) is a powerful analytical tool for trace gas measurements. In this mini-review, we present reactions and spectra of ozone-induced CL for various compounds and techniques for detecting such CL. Next discussed are CL applications where real gas samples were successfully measured. Chemiluminescence monitoring has been used as universal nitrogen and sulfur detectors for gas chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. Chemiluminescence detection can be used as the basis of compact, affordable, and sensitive analyzers for real-sample analysis. Isoprene and sulfur compounds in breath and atmospheric samples have been successfully measured by coupling with a small collection system. Short-term (5 min) sorbent collection enhances the CL signal and considerably reduces interference. For sulfur gas analysis, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide can be separated on the same column that is used for collection. Waterborne arsenic is measured by automated arsine generation and CL reaction of arsine and ozone. In addition to gas-phase CL, more recent efforts towards the determination of gases by CL generated at solid/gas and liquid/gas interfaces are also discussed.