Sampling and Analysis of Organophosphorus Compounds on a Thermoelectric Cold Plate Using Fourier Transform Infrared Emission Spectroscopy

This report documents findings of work performed under U.S. Army Chemical Research, Development and Engineering Center (CRDEC) Contract No. DAAA15-86-0020, by contractor personnel in conjunction with CRDEC scientists. This research addressed the sampling of organophosphorus compounds from the air and their detection using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques with computer-aided pattern recognition. Vapor samples from a thermoelectrically- cooled plate, typically used as a liquid aerosol collector, were examined to determine the feasibility of recording infrared emission spectra directly from the plate. A comparison of this method was made with gas chromatography/infrared (GC/IR) spectroscopy analysis of samples that were first removed from the plate. Keywords: Infrared, FTIR, Malathion, Infrared emission, Infrared spectra, Pattern recognition, Infrared transmittance, Cold mirror/plate. Prepared in collaboration with Nevada Univ., Reno.