A Highly Sensitive and Selective Microelectrolytic Conductivity Detector for Gas Chromatography

Abstract

The construction and operation of a microelectrolytic conductivity detector is described. The detector features a novel unitized gas-liquid separator-conductivity cell that is self-starting and maintaining. The detector can be used for the selective detection of halogen, sulfur, and nitrogen containing compounds. Minimum detectability of common chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides such as aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, etc., is 10–20 picograms. Selectivity, relative to carbon is approximately 10⁶ and linearity is greater than 10⁵. The influence of detector geometry and reaction conditions is also discussed.