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5220864 
Journal Article 
High-Sensitivity Laser-Induced Fluorescence-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Studies of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons using the Argon Ion Laser-Yeung Detector Cell Configuration 
Roach, MC; Harmony, MD 
1988 
1 
Journal of Chromatography
ISSN: 0021-9673 
455 
A new technique combining laser induced fluorescence with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), using an ultraviolet (UV) CW argon ion laser Yeung detector cell configuration (AIYC), was demonstrated on a mixture with low levels of ten polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and compared with NdYAG laser. The solution used contained: 200 picograms (pg) anthracene (120127), (An), fluoranthene (206440) (Fl), benz(k)fluoranthene (207089) (BkF), and benz(a)pyrene (50328) (BaP); 300pg benz(b)fluoranthene (205992) (BbF); 500pg benz(g,h,i)perylene (203123) (ghi); 1 nanogram (ng) benz(a)anthracene (56553) (BaA) and dibenz(a,h)anthracene (53703) (ah); 2ng pyrene (129000) (Py) and 40ng chrysene (218019) (Chr). The chromatogram indicated eight PAHs clearly distinguishable though not completely resolved, with dibenz(a,h)anthracene and benz(g,h,i)perylene having the longest retention times and being indistinguishable. Pure PAH detection limits using NdYAG (355 nanometers) pulsed laser versus CW argon ion laser were: 0.80pg and 0.16pg for anthracene, 0.38pg and 0.38pg for fluoranthene, 15.0pg and 0.72pg for benz(b)fluoranthene, and 0.80pg and 0.18pg benz(a)pyrene, respectively. Calibration curves were reported linear over more than 2 decades. AIYC detection limits were five times lower than with 280 nanometer deuterium lamp excitation HPLC fluorescence and comparable to those previously observed for tagged amino-acids in the visible spectrum, that suggested high efficacy with the shorter wavelengths. The authors conclude that AIYC clearly performs excellently in the UV. Equipment is judged trouble free and experimentally reliable for routine studies. Laser detection limits are functions of specific equipment and operational methods selected. These results indicate AIYC yields highly reliable and sensitive chromatographic determinations for compounds whose excitation bands are accessible to UV or visible lines of the laser.