The potential of Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of phenols in water has been investigated. A method of analysis based on the Raman technique would provide many advantages over other methods currently employed. It would be able to quantitate individual phenol derivatives directly in the water solution without separation. Due to the lack of sample pretreatment required, this method could serve as a basis of an automated field technique. / A group of nine compounds--phenol, o-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2-chloro-5-methylphenol, 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol, 4-nitrophenol, 3-nitrophenol, and 2-nitrophenol--was studied with the use of the 514.5 nanometer line of an argon ion laser. Detection limits range from 101 to 0.3 ppm, depending on the compound. Attention was given to the effects of source intensity, optical alignment, and background fluctuations on quantitative results. It was found that the use of an internal standard with each measurement made a significant improvement in the accuracy and precision. Two methods of quantitation, peak area measurement and cross-correlation were used. Results were somewhat better for cross-correlation. / A study was conducted to determine the effect of background fluorescence, as well as other interferences, on this method. It was concluded that most interferences found in natural waters could be eliminated with the use of cross-correlation and digital filtering techniques. Results were obtained from analysis of 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol in sea water and the simultaneous determination of three nitrophenols in a mixture. / The most important factor controlling sensitivity was the occurrence of resonance enhancement. Raman measurements of the nitrophenols with the 457.9 nm laser line resulted in detection limits of 190 to 30 ppb. Measurements were carried out with an ultraviolet laser source to examine qualitative and quantitative changes in the Raman spectra of the phenols as the condition of resonance enhancement is approached. These results were used to predict the detection limits which could be obtained from resonance enhancement of all the phenol compounds. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-11, Section: B, page: 3487. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1984.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75461 |
| Contributors | MARLEY, NANCY ALICE., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 156 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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