Standard analyte generator

Abstract

The invention describes the process by which a standard mixture of organic compounds are spiked and retained onto a composite sorbent matrix for the controlled generation of a standard in fluid above the spiked matrix either in a gaseous or aqueous phase. The novelty of the aforementioned composite matrix stems from the combination of an immobilizing liquid phase such as silicone oil or a polyacrylonitrile solution, and solid, porous particles such as polystyrene-co-divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) or hydrophilic/Lipophilic Balance (HLB) particles to strongly retain the spiked standards. These novel composite mixtures exhibit sorptive capabilities greater than the sum of their individual components. In addition swelling of the particles with the liquid phase facilitates immobilization of the composite sorbent matrix in the vial. With thermodynamic equilibrium strongly favoring the sorbent phase for a wide range of chemical compounds, this invention allows for the reproducible generation of an ultra-low concentration standard analyte mixture in fluid.