Researchers combined thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to screen firefighting wastewater for selected hazardous aromatic compounds.
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TLC separated compounds on a silica-coated plate before gold nanoparticle-enhanced SERS generated molecular fingerprints.
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Separating compounds before SERS helped reduce overlapping Raman bands and interference from other wastewater components.
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The method identified and quantified p-phenylenediamine, o-phenylenediamine, and 4-chlorophenol added to firefighting wastewater, with measured concentrations agreeing with amounts added.
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The study demonstrated the method for selected aromatic pollutants but did not establish its performance across the wider range of chemicals found after different fires.
