| In the first part of this work, a simple method called Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy was investigated to assess its performance as a tool for detection and quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water. The analytes, namely l,2-dichlorobenzene (1,2-DCB), 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE), and 1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-DCP) were trapped into a thin polymer membrane through partitioning between the aqueous phase and a membrane coated onto the surface of a ZnSe ATR crystal. Results of the membrane material study indicated that ABS gave better detection sensitivity while EPco offered faster response time. In addition, ABS showed higher stability and reproducibility as compared to EPco and EPMNco. Linear calibration curves with R2 coefficients in the range 0.979--0.999 and detection limits of 0.02 ppm, 4.3 ppm, and 1.4 ppm were obtained for 1,2-DCB, 1,2-DCE, and 1,2-DCP, respectively when a 2 mm thick ZnSe crystal was utilized. In the second part, the kinetics of the reaction of ethyl benzene with OH radicals has been investigated at 240--340 K and 1--9 Torr utilizing relative rate combined with discharge flow and mass spectrometry (RR/DF/MS) technique. The high-pressure limit rate constant at 298 K was found to be kinfinity = (7.47 +/- 0.44) x 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. |
