4. Results and discussion 4.1. Optimization of sampling time and flow rate In order to use the proposed analytical technique, it is important to know theworking ranges of the sampling time and flow rate. The C-18 cartridge impregnated with TEA was used for sampling a standard gas mixture containing 20.0 ppb (37.6 mgm3, at 25.0 °C, 10.0 ppb¼18.8 mgm3)ofNO2,ataflow rate of 0.4 L min1.The collection capacity of the sampler was first evaluated using sampling times between 0 and 150min. The results, illustrated in Fig. 3a, showed that for a concentration of 20.0ppb, sampling could be continued for up to 150 min without saturation of the C-18 column. Longer sampling times were not evaluated, because one of the desirable aspects of the method was that it should be fast. Different f low rates were evaluated using a sampling time of 60 min and an NO2 concentration of 20ppb. The results (Fig. 3b) showed that satisfactory collection efficiency of the C-18 column was maintained up to a flow rate of around 0.5 L min1. Fig.3. Analytical signal as a function of (a) sampling time and (b) flow rate. 4.2. Calibration and working range The analytical curve was first constructed using the method (I) for sample preparation and determination. Sampling was performed for 60 min at a flow rate of 0.50Lmin1 and the NO2 concentration was varied between 15.1 and 100.0 ppb (28.4 and 188 mgm3). Each concentration resulted in a colored solution that was used to obtain a digital image. The images were transformed into grayscale signals, which were then transformed into ODR signals using Eq. (4). The relationship between the ODR signals and the NO2 concentrations (in ppb) could be described by =± ODR 7.04( 0.23) 10 [NO ] x 2 0.9970, − 4 2 RnF 18, === 972.51 () (5) The limit of detection was 15.0 ppb (28.2 mgm3), based on the concentration that gave a signal 3.3 times greater than that for the white background, under the sampling conditions employed. The other analytical parameters are presented in Table 1. 4.3. Image processing for low concentrations and small volumes The linear working range obtained for the method developed following procedure (I) was adequate for analysis of NO2