An improved energy generator for the study of reactions of thermal-energy electrons with organic compounds

The products resulting from the reaction between thermal energy electrons and organic compounds have been investigated to further our knowledge of the mode of action of the electron-capture detector. Thermal energy electrons were generated by maintaining a corona discharge between a stainless steel cathode and a silver/silver chloride anode. The effects of electrode geometry, gas composition, gas flow rate, and the physical properties of the test substances were investigated. The design of the reactor was modified to minimize losses of unchanged substrate. Reaction products of benzaldehyde, tolualdehydes, chlorobenzaldehydes, and dichlorobenzenes were identified by combined gas chromatography — mass spectrometry.