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Liquid chromatography detectors (Chromatographic Science Series, Vol. 23)
Journal of Chromatography, 285 (1984) 250-251 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands CHROM. 16.505
Book Review
Liquid chromatography detectors (Chromatographic
Scien_ce Series, Vol. 23), edited by T. M. Vickrey, Marcel Dekker, New York, Base], 1983, X + 434 pp., price SFr. 153.00, ISBN O-8247-1916-6.
The book starts with a description by the editor of concentration profiles entering a liquid chromatography (LC) detector. Separation phenomena are discussed and the reader is familiarized with the terms used throughout the book. This introduction is kept as short as possible, makes reference to 66 publications for more detailed studies of the subjects and does prepare the reader in an ideal way for the chapters on different detectors. Each of these has been written by an author active in detector development and with a strong background in the topic. In the case of this book this is a great advantage mainly because the editor did excellent work in unifying terminology and format of the chapters and in avoiding any overlapping. In the chapter on UV-Vis absorption detectors, by R. L. Stevenson, even the expert will find valuable tips for the practical use. A section on photodiode array detectors is missing and therefore no comparisons are found to other multiple-wavelength detectors. This may disappoint the novice who is looking for an aid in deciding which detector to buy. Fluorescence detectors are discussed by D. C. Shelly and I. M. Warner. The chapter is very well written with almost too many references to applications. The review on electrochemical detectors is written by P. T. Kissinger, who restricts himself to amperometry. Other electrochemical methods are mostly not mentioned, although the author points out that “it is important for the reader to recognize that there is no single optimal electrochemical detector, but rather a whole family of devices”. In the chapter on refractive index detectors, by M. N. Munk, not only the four major detection principles are discussed, but also the sensitivity of commercial detectors, employing these principles, was measured with glycerol-water and can easily be compared. Operation tips given are very useful, even to the experienced chromatographers. Compared to the number of LCatomic absorption detectors in use, the chapter on element-specific detectors, by K. L. Jewett and F. E. Brinckman, is too long and too detailed. Furthermore, this chapter could have been the place to mention other very specific detectors, such as the thermoenergy analyzer for nitroso compounds The review on the state of the art in high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, by P. J. Arpino, could hardly be more complete. Unfortunately, it was prepared already at the end of 1980 and the recent developments are only indicated in the last section. However, this comment does not detract seriously from the merits of this chapter. In a chapter on less popular detectors the editor reviews infrared detectors,
BOOK REVIEWS
2.51
electron spin resonance detectors, transport detectors, radioactivity detectors and heat of adsorption detectors, and shows their merits and limitations. The chapter on data handling for LC detectors, by A. C. Brown, D. L. Wallace, G. L. Burce and S. Mathes, is concerned with all aspects necessary to produce accurate and precise results. Interesting information on how the signal is processed, and sometimes deformed, by the electronic hardware and how to make proper use of the available parameters for best accuracy is given. This chapter is of high value to all those who are not satisfied with just believing the specifications and recommendations of the computer companies, but are concerned about the quantitation of their chromatographic signals. The book ends with an author index and a subject index. All chapters are very well written, clear and accurate. The book is certainly a valuable addition to every chromatography library. It will not only be read once, but will probably also be used for the training of students or even as a guide for trouble-shooting HPLC detection devices. Diibendoyf (Switzerland)
R. SCHWARZENBACH
Book Review
Liquid chromatography detectors (Chromatographic
Scien_ce Series, Vol. 23), edited by T. M. Vickrey, Marcel Dekker, New York, Base], 1983, X + 434 pp., price SFr. 153.00, ISBN O-8247-1916-6.
The book starts with a description by the editor of concentration profiles entering a liquid chromatography (LC) detector. Separation phenomena are discussed and the reader is familiarized with the terms used throughout the book. This introduction is kept as short as possible, makes reference to 66 publications for more detailed studies of the subjects and does prepare the reader in an ideal way for the chapters on different detectors. Each of these has been written by an author active in detector development and with a strong background in the topic. In the case of this book this is a great advantage mainly because the editor did excellent work in unifying terminology and format of the chapters and in avoiding any overlapping. In the chapter on UV-Vis absorption detectors, by R. L. Stevenson, even the expert will find valuable tips for the practical use. A section on photodiode array detectors is missing and therefore no comparisons are found to other multiple-wavelength detectors. This may disappoint the novice who is looking for an aid in deciding which detector to buy. Fluorescence detectors are discussed by D. C. Shelly and I. M. Warner. The chapter is very well written with almost too many references to applications. The review on electrochemical detectors is written by P. T. Kissinger, who restricts himself to amperometry. Other electrochemical methods are mostly not mentioned, although the author points out that “it is important for the reader to recognize that there is no single optimal electrochemical detector, but rather a whole family of devices”. In the chapter on refractive index detectors, by M. N. Munk, not only the four major detection principles are discussed, but also the sensitivity of commercial detectors, employing these principles, was measured with glycerol-water and can easily be compared. Operation tips given are very useful, even to the experienced chromatographers. Compared to the number of LCatomic absorption detectors in use, the chapter on element-specific detectors, by K. L. Jewett and F. E. Brinckman, is too long and too detailed. Furthermore, this chapter could have been the place to mention other very specific detectors, such as the thermoenergy analyzer for nitroso compounds The review on the state of the art in high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, by P. J. Arpino, could hardly be more complete. Unfortunately, it was prepared already at the end of 1980 and the recent developments are only indicated in the last section. However, this comment does not detract seriously from the merits of this chapter. In a chapter on less popular detectors the editor reviews infrared detectors,
BOOK REVIEWS
2.51
electron spin resonance detectors, transport detectors, radioactivity detectors and heat of adsorption detectors, and shows their merits and limitations. The chapter on data handling for LC detectors, by A. C. Brown, D. L. Wallace, G. L. Burce and S. Mathes, is concerned with all aspects necessary to produce accurate and precise results. Interesting information on how the signal is processed, and sometimes deformed, by the electronic hardware and how to make proper use of the available parameters for best accuracy is given. This chapter is of high value to all those who are not satisfied with just believing the specifications and recommendations of the computer companies, but are concerned about the quantitation of their chromatographic signals. The book ends with an author index and a subject index. All chapters are very well written, clear and accurate. The book is certainly a valuable addition to every chromatography library. It will not only be read once, but will probably also be used for the training of students or even as a guide for trouble-shooting HPLC detection devices. Diibendoyf (Switzerland)
R. SCHWARZENBACH