On the performance and inertness of different materials used for the enrichment of sulfur compounds from air and gaseous samples

The performance of the sorbent polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is compared to that of the adsorbents Carbotrap and Tenax for the enrichment of volatile and reactive sulfur compounds. These included: 1- and 2-propanethiol, tetrahydrothiophene, 2-thioethanol and 2-ethylthioethanol. Several artifact-forming reactions were identified on both Tenax and Carbotrap including: H2S elimination and dimerization of thiols. Additionally, permanent adsorption was also observed for heavier solutes. These effects are absent when PDMS is applied. This superior performance is explained by the absence of catalytic or adsorptive activity on PDMS.