A direct characterization of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of solid solvent-refined coal by matrix isolation fluorescence spectroscopy

A solid, untreated solvent-refined coal sample yields matrix isolation fluorescence spectra suitable for the identification and determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Several PAHs can be identified in xenon-lamp excited spectra. The capability for selective excitation of fluorescence and background suppression using the time resolution of a dye-laser spectrometer permit the unambiguous identification of PAHs including benzo[a]pyrene. Quantitative "standard addition" plots for benzo[a]pyrene, perylene, benz[a]anthracene, and pyrene in SRC I are precise and appear to be reliable. Because of the absence of a suitable solid standard reference material, the accuracy of quantitative results cannot be ascertained.