Air quality sampler using solid phase coated material
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus for monitoring air quality is provided.
1. A method for monitoring air quality which comprises:
(a) contacting a collection device comprising a carbon-based adsorbent resin which additionally comprises polydimethylsiloxane and a platinum catalyst with air;
(b) collecting a sample from said air over a period of time from about 24 hours to about one week using said collection device;
(c) removing adsorbed material from said collection device; and
(d) analyzing said removed material.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said adsorbed material is removed from said collection device by physical means.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said physical means is selected from the group consisting of sonication, a change in temperature, and a change in pressure.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said adsorbed material is removed from said collection device by chemical means.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said chemical means is solvent extraction.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of acetone, methanol, ethanol, methylene chloride, CS 2 , and water.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said solvent is acetone.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein said solvent is methanol.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein said solvent is ethanol.
10. The method of claim 6 wherein said solvent is methylene chloride.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein said solvent is CS 2 .
12. The method of claim 6 wherein said solvent is water.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein said collected sample is chemical material.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said chemical material is soot.
15. An apparatus for monitoring air quality which comprises a collection device comprising an adsorbent material, wherein said adsorbent material is a carbon molecular sieve which additionally comprises polydimethylsiloxane and a platinum catalyst.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said carbon molecular sieve material has a high surface area.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said surface area is from about 10 cm 2 to about 20 cm 2 .
18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said collection device is selected from the group consisting of an active collection device and a passive collection device.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said collection device is an active collection device.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said collection device is a passive collection device.