Evaluation of the bias associated with the use of a Nafion® dryer in the analyses of certain polar and nonpolar organic compounds

Abstract

Recovery rates of certain polar and non-polar volatile organic compounds were evaluated for bias associated with the use of a Nafion® dryer in the analyses of environmental samples. Analyses of dryer inlet verses dryer outlet concentrations of specific compounds were used to assess the extent of Nafion® bias. A select group of 22 polar and 6 non-polar compounds, as well as historical data from other authors was used to develop a stepwise multiple regression model to aid in predicting recovery rates. Specific compound physical parameters used in this model include water solubility, hydrogen bonding capacity, and dipole moment. The overall R squared or predictive value of this model is 0.7885. Typical recovery rates of non-polar and extremely polar compounds are 100% and <10% respectively. Compounds that possess moderate intermolecular interactions (aldehydes, ethers, esters, and ketones) resulted in recovery rates between 10% and 100%.