After the components of a mixture are separated using gas

chromatography,
they must be detected as they exit the GC column
 Gas chromatography detectors
• GC detectors identify solutes as they exit the
chromatographic column.
• As solutes are eluted from the gas chromatography
column they interact with the detector.
• The GC detector converts this interaction into an
electrical signal that is sent to the data system.
• The magnitude of the signal is plotted versus time
(from the time of injection) and a chromatogram is
generated. 
• GC detectors use one of several technology types
to identify solutes as they exit the column. 
There are many detectors which can be used in GC:

Different detectors will give different types of selectivity.

1. non-selective detector responds to all compounds
2. selective detector responds to a range of compounds with a
common physical or chemical property
3. specific detector responds to a single chemical compound.

Detectors can also be grouped into:

4. Concentration dependant detector, the signal is related to the
concentration of solute in the detector (usually non destructive)
5. Mass flow dependant detectors usually destroy the sample, and
the signal is related to the rate at which solute molecules enter
the detector.
The most important GC detectors are:

● Thermal conductivity detector (TCD). The TCD is not as

sensitive as other detectors but it is non-specific and non-
destructive.
● Flame-ionization detector (FID). The FID is extremely
sensitive with a large dynamic range, its only disadvantage is
that it destroys the sample.
● Electron-capture detector (ECD). The ECD is as sensitive
as the FID but has a limited dynamic range and finds its
greatest application in analysis organic molecules that contain
electronegative functional groups, such as halogens,
phosphorous, and nitro groups.
Other types of detectors:
● Atomic-emission detector (AED)
● Nitrogen-phosphorus detector (NPD)
● Flame-photometric detector (FPD)
● Photoionization detector (PID)
 Support Detecta
Type Selectivity
Detector gases bility
Flame
Mass Hydrogen and
ionizatio flow air Most organic compounds. 100 pg
n (FID)
Thermal
Conc
conducti entra Reference Universal 1 ng
vity tion
(TCD)
Electron Conc
Halides, nitrates, nitriles, peroxides,
capture entra Make-up 50 pg
tion anhydrides, organometallics
(ECD)
Nitrogen-
Mass Hydrogen and
phospho flow air Nitrogen, phosphorus 10 pg
rus
Flame Hydrogen and Sulphur, phosphorus, tin, boron,
Mass
photomet flow
air possibly arsenic, germanium, selenium, 100 pg
ric (FPD) oxygen chromium
Photo- Conc Aliphatics, aromatics, ketones, esters,
ionizatio entra Make-up aldehydes, amines, heterocyclics, 2 pg
n (PID) tion organosulphurs, some organometallics
Electron-Capture Detector (ECD).

The ECD uses a radioactive Beta emitter (electrons) to

ionize some of the carrier gas and produce a current
between a biased pair of electrodes.
When organic molecules that contain electronegative
functional groups (Hal, conjugated -C=O, -CN, -NO2,
organometallics) pass by the detector, they capture
some of the electrons and reduce the current
measured between the electrodes.
The detector responds by varying the frequency of
voltage pulses between the anode and cathode to
maintain a constant current.
Low sensitivity for: hydrocarbons, -OH, ketones.
Photoionization detector (PID).

The photoionization detector (PID)

utilizes ultraviolet light to ionize gas
molecules, and is commonly
employed in the detection of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs).

Suitable for aromatics and

unsaturated compounds. Low
sensitivity to halocarbons and
hydrocarbons.