Analytical Chemistry

Table 4.14 Characteristics of liquid chromatography detectors*

Detector basis Type** Maximum
sensitivity***

Flow rate

sensitive?

Temperature

sensitivity

Useful with

gradient?

Ultraviolet absorption S 5 × 10 – 10 No Low Yes

Infrared absorption S 10 – (^6) No Low Yes
Fluorimetry S 10 – (^10) No Low Yes
Refractive index G 5 × 10 – (^7) No ± 10 – 4 °C No
Conductometric S 10 – (^8) Yes ± 1 °C No
Mass spectrometry S 10 – (^10) No None —
Amperometric S 10 – (^10) Yes ± 1 °C —
Radioactivity S — No None Yes

• Most of these data were taken from: L. R. Snyder and J. J. Kirkland, Introduction to Modern Liquid Chromatography.
  New York: Wiley-Interscience, 1964, p. 165. With permission.
  ** G = general; S = selective.
  *** Sensitivity for a favourable sample in grams per millilitre.