Denuder sampling techniques for the determination of gas-phase carbonyl compounds: a comparison and characterisation of in situ and ex situ derivatisation methods

Abstract

Two denuder sampling techniques have been compared for the analysis of gaseous carbonyl compounds. One type of denuder was coated with XAD-4 resin and the other type of denuder was coated with XAD-4 and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) to derivatise gaseous carbonyl compounds to their hydrazone forms simultaneously. A detailed protocol for the denuder coating procedure is described. The collection efficiency under dry (RH <3%) and humid conditions (RH 50%) as well as filter positive artefacts were evaluated. The XAD-4/DNPH coated denuders showed significantly less break-through potential and hence collection than the XAD-4-only coated denuders. The performance of the XAD-4/DNPH denuder was better under humid conditions with no detected break-through for hydroxyacetone, methacrolein, methylglyoxal, campholenic aldehyde and nopinone. Calibration experiments were performed in a simulation chamber and carbonyl-hydrazone concentrations determined in the extracts of both the denuder types were related to the mixing ratios of gaseous carbonyl compounds in the chamber to overcome losses and errors associating with the denuder sampling, extraction and sample preparation. The application of on-tube conversion for the XAD-4/DNPH denuders resulted in higher R(2) values than the XAD-4 denuder, ranging up to 0.991 for nopinone. The XAD-4-only coated denuders showed acceptable calibration curves only for lower vapour pressure carbonyl compounds though larger relative standard deviations (RSD) were observed. Carbonyl compounds that were formed during the oxidation of nopinone were collected using the XAD-4/DNPH denuders. The results showed that the denuder sampling device was able to provide reproducible nopinone mixing ratios that remained in the chamber after about 1h of the oxidation. One isomer of oxo-nopinones was tentatively identified from off-line HPLC/(-)ESI-TOFMS analysis. Based on the TOFMS response of the nopinone-DNPH derivative, the oxo-nopinone molar yield of 0.7±0.1% (n=3) was determined from the reaction of nopinone with OH radicals. Depending on target analytes, accuracy and sensitivity requirements, the present method can be employed for the determination of gaseous carbonyl compounds that are formed during the oxidation of monoterpenes.