Analytical Chemistry Insights

A new chemosensor has been used to monitor atmospheric nitrogen oxides [NO + NO2] at parts per billion (ppb) level. It is based on the catalytic reaction of nitrogen oxides with rhodamine B hydrazide (RBH) to produce a colored compound through the hydrolysis of the amide bond of the molecule. A simple colorimeter has been used to monitor atmospheric nitrogen dioxide at ppb level. The air samples were purged through a sampling cuvette containing RBH solution using peristaltic pump. The proposed method has been successfully applied to monitor the ambient nitrogen dioxide levels at traffic junction points within the city limits and the results obtained are compared with the standard Griess-Ilosvay method.