Abstract
The standard environmental testmethod for nitroaromatic, nitramine, and
nitroester analysis has beenUSEPAmethod 8330
1
.
ThismethodusesHPLC
separation and detectionbyultra-violet absorption.
Analysts have been
interested in aGCmethod that overcomes the disadvantages of theHPLC
method, includinghigh solvent usage,
multiple co-elutions, and long run
times.
USEPAmethod8095
2
has beenwritten as aGC/ECDalternative tomethod 8330.
ThisGC/ECDmethodwas developed at theU.S. ArmyColdRegions
Research andEngineeringLaboratory
3
.
Method8095 includes all of the
method8330 target compounds plus 3,5-dinitroaniline, nitroglycerine, and
PETN.
Restekhas designed two newstationaryphases, Rtx
®
-TNTandRtx
®
-TNT2
columns, specifically formethod8095.
TheTNTcolumns provide better
resolution andhigher thermal stability than anyof the columns currently
recommended inMethod8095.
TheRtx
®
-TNT, primary column andRtx
®
-
TNT2, confirmational column, operate under identical GCoven temperature
programs, allowing simultaneous dual-column confirmational analysis of all
16nitroaromatic compounds.
