Electric tritium compounds

Electron Capture Detector In the electron capture detector (ECD), a beta emitter such as tritium or 63Ni is used to ionize the carrier gas. Electrons from the ionization migrate to the anode and produce a steady current. If the GC effluent contains a compound that can capture electrons, the current is reduced because the resulting negative ions move more slowly than electrons. Thus, the signal measured is the loss of electrical current. The ECD is very sensitive to materials that readily capture electrons. These materials frequently have unsaturation and electronegative substituents. Because the ECD is sensitive to water, the carrier gas must be dry. 

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