Using thermodesorption-GC/cryocondensation-FT-IR for the measurement of biogenic VOC emissions

Abstract

For the investigation of terpene emissions from plants a thermodesorption-GC/cryocondensation-FT-IR system was used to complement GC/MS measurements. FT-IR spectra allow to obtain structural information on functional groups, especially if they contain oxygen. Measurements of the release of volatile organic compounds from pine trees (Pinus sylvestris L.) and lavender show the potential of GC/FT-IR to detect and quantify terpenes down to the pg-level. One major advantage of the system is the cryocondensation step on a ZnSe-slide, which allows to scan the substances repeatedly with higher scan number and/or resolution to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.