Photoabsorption spectra have been measured for several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) using synchrotron radiation at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Source (LNLS), covering the carbon, the nitrogen as well as the oxygen 1s-edges. A new sample preparation method was tested and applied successfully specially for the less volatile compounds. Our data showed good agreement with previously published results. New photoabsorption spectra of PAHs and PACs were recorded and will be presented. A street dust sample was analysed by NEXAFS and the results compared with previously published data on PAH identification by high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
