Title: | Real time analysis of trace volatile organic compounds in ambient air: a comparison between membrane inlet single photon ionization mass spectrometry and proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry |
Author(s): | Yu Z; Liu C; Niu H; Wu M; Gao W; Zhou Z; Huang Z; Li X; |
Address: | "Institute of Mass Spectrometry and Atmospheric Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. tamylee@jnu.edu.cn" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1759-9679 (Electronic) 1759-9660 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "Real-time monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is critical for a better understanding of chemical processes in ambient air or making minute-by-minute decisions in emergency situations. Proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) is nowadays the most commonly used technique for real-time monitoring of VOCs while membrane single photon ionization mass spectrometry (MI-SPI-MS) is a promising MS technique for online detection of trace VOCs. Here, to evaluate the potential of MI-SPI-MS as a complementary tool to PTR-MS, a comprehensive comparison has been performed between MI-SPI-MS and PTR-MS. By using two sets of standard gas mixtures TO15 and PAMS, SPI-MS shows advantages in the detection of >/=C5 alkanes, aromatics and halogens; especially for aromatics, the LODs can reach the ppt level. PTR-MS has performed better in the detection of alkenes, ketones and aldehydes. For outdoor measurements, a number of VOCs have been detected while using MI-SPI-MS and PTR-MS in parallel. Consistent temporal variations have been observed for toluene, C8-aromatics and C9-aromatics by the two instruments, with a more sensitive response from the MI-SPI-MS. Thus by measuring both standard gas mixture and complex ambient air samples, we have successfully demonstrated that MI-SPI-MS will be a helpful tool to provide important complementary information on aromatics and alkanes in air, and proper application of MI-SPI-MS will benefit the real-time monitoring of trace VOCs in relative fields" |
Notes: | "PubMed-not-MEDLINEYu, Zhujun Liu, Chao Niu, Hongzhi Wu, Manman Gao, Wei Zhou, Zhen Huang, Zhengxu Li, Xue eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2020/08/28 Anal Methods. 2020 Sep 17; 12(35):4343-4350. doi: 10.1039/d0ay01102a" |