Determination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Other Halogenated Compounds using Combustion Ion Chromatography

Published

July 21, 2026

Author(s)

Halen Solomon, Andrew Maizel, Audrey Tombaugh, Brittany Stinger, Andre Thompson, Rick Davis

Abstract

This NIST Technical Note discusses the usage of combustion ion chromatography to determine halogen (fluorine, chlorine, and bromine) contents of various solid and liquid matrices, particularly those arising from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Efforts to describe various sources of uncertainties and methods to incorporate each source into the determination of the overall effectiveness of this method for halogen determination are discussed. Major sources of measurement uncertainties including the sample combustion mass and the method of creating calibration curves are identified. Methods to reduce the measurement uncertainty and to increase measurement accuracy through calibration of the instrument, reduction of background contamination through blank subtraction, and compensation for matrix effects are presented. The usage of a partial loop injection system to extend the effective measurement range and its effects on uncertainties is reported. Effects of cations, variabilities in fluoride sensitivity, and PFAS combustion inefficiencies were studied using various reference materials such as NIST SRM 2143, 3181, 3182, 3183, 3184, 3186 and NIST RM 8446 in addition to other 3rd-party reference standards. Concurrent determination of sulfur is also discussed. This Technical Note also establishes the first reported combustion efficiency/fluorine recovery values for NIST SRMs and RMs in addition to a select number of fluorotelomer alcohol and fluorotelomer acrylate compounds.

Citation

Technical Note (NIST TN) - 2379

Report Number

2379

NIST Pub Series

Technical Note (NIST TN)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2379

Local Download

Keywords

Combustion ion chromatography, CIC, fluorine, chlorine, halogens, lithium, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS

Citation

Solomon, H. , Maizel, A. , Tombaugh, A. , Stinger, B. , Thompson, A. and Davis, R. (2026), Determination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Other Halogenated Compounds using Combustion Ion Chromatography, Technical Note (NIST TN), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.TN.2379, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=961968 (Accessed July 22, 2026)

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