Optimization of the phase system in the analysis of polynuclear aromatics (PNA) from diesel engine exhaust by high performance liquid chromatography …

1979

Polynuclear aromatics (PNA) were collected and enriched from diesel engine exhausts by means of a probe and an absorber system. Group separation of PNA from other constituents of exhaust was accomplished through elution with n-heptane on a silica column. A variety of phase systems ranging from unpolar to strong polar packings and eluents, respectively, were tested to resolve PNA into single species. Of these a n-octadecyl bonded silica packing and methanol/water was found to be the most optimal with regard to resolution for real PNA mixtures. Separation was completed within 2–3 h at isocratic conditions.