Simultaneous Gas-phase Detection of Nitric Oxide (NO) and Nitrous Oxide (N2O) from the Decomposition of Angeli's Salt (Na2N2O3) at Different pHs Using Tunable-diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous diatomic molecule that is biosynthesized in mammals, and it regulates a host of physiological processes including blood pressure. Over the last several years, there has been an increased interest in the redox partner HNO and its identifiable dimerization product N2O. This latter gaseous species is also the product of various NO-coupling reactions as occurs in bacterial NO-detoxification processes. An attractive new tool will be the ability to simultaneously detect NO and N2O from the same reaction vessel. We demonstrate proof-of-concept methodology for such a simultaneous and specific NO and N2O detection from the same precursor (from Angeli’s salt decomposition) using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy without the need for separation or pretreatment of these gases.