Detecting Isobaric VOCs
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be monitored by proton transfer reaction (PTR) MS, in which a PTR drift tube is coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometer. In this technique, compounds undergo proton transfer reactions when they collide with H₃O⁺ ions. This soft chemical ionization method, which results in little fragmentation, allows researchers to detect trace levels of VOCs from relatively uncomplicated spectra. Sometimes, the m/z values of VOCs are similar or identical, rendering it impossible to make a positive identification. Thus, Michael Alexander and co-workers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, San Francisco State University, and Innsbruck University (Austria) developed a novel instrument that couples a PTR drift tube to an ion trap mass spectrometer, which can perform MS/MS, to produce characteristic fragments of isobaric species.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 860108
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-40015; 2372; 3372; KP1303000; TRN: US200701%%170
- Journal Information:
- Analytical Chemistry, 75(17):371A, Journal Name: Analytical Chemistry, 75(17):371A
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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