Ultraviolet resonance Raman spectrometry for detection and speciation of trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Journal Article · Sat Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1984 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00268a029· OSTI ID:6223652

Asher, S A

A novel UV resonance Raman spectrometer has been utilized for the UV resonance Raman study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). This work represents the first application of Raman spectrometry to determination of trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as napthalene, anthracene, phenanthrene, and pyrene and various substituted derivatives. The data illustrate that UV resonance Raman enhancement is sufficient to study trace levels of these species, down to the 20 ppb level. The factors which determine the detection limit for UV resonance Raman measurements are disucssed. The resonance Raman intensities strongly depend upon the excitation wavelength. Thus, by a judicious choice of excitation wavelength it should be possible to selectively excite individual PAH species in mixtures. Resonance Raman studies of anthracene and its 2-methyl, 9-methyl, 9-phenyl, and 9,10-diphenyl derivatives demonstrate that the Raman frequency and intensity differences permit easy differentiation between these structurally similar species. The potential utility of this new technique for the speciation and detection of PAH's in complex matrices is discussed.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA
• OSTI ID: 6223652
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 56:4; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400104* -- Spectral Procedures-- (-1987)
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AROMATICS
CARCINOGENS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
DATA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDROCARBONS
INFORMATION
NAPHTHALENE
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHENANTHRENE
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
PYRENE
RAMAN SPECTRA
SPECTRA
TRACE AMOUNTS
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA