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Online detection of airborne nanoparticle composition with mass spectrometry: Recent advances, challenges, and opportunities

Journal Article · · TrAC, Trends in Analytical Chemistry
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [3]
  1. Tsinghua Univ., Beijing (China); Wuhan Univ. (China); OSTI
  2. Univ. of Helsinki (Finland)
  3. Tsinghua Univ., Beijing (China)
  4. Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)
Airborne nanoparticles are receiving growing attention due to their impacts on human health, air quality, and climate. Additionally, there are increasing applications of aerosol-based nanotechnology. Real-time measurement of airborne nanoparticle composition is challenging due to their small masses and the difficulties in effectively separating them from larger particles. Custom-built instruments based on mass spectrometry have been developed for nanoparticle composition, including thermal desorption-based, laser-based, and solution-based techniques. They have significantly promoted the understanding of airborne nanoparticles in the last two decades. However, they are affected by molecular fragmentation, lack of mass-resolving power, incomplete species detection, and difficulties in directly comparing to gas-phase measurements. Recent developments in atmospheric mass spectrometry provide possible solutions. Here, this review presents the potential application of these new advances to real-time measurements of the molecular nanoparticle composition and discusses the associated challenges. Such measurements present opportunities for a more comprehensive view of airborne nanoparticles and their impacts.
Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0021208
OSTI ID:
2421807
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1992694
Journal Information:
TrAC, Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Journal Name: TrAC, Trends in Analytical Chemistry Journal Issue: C Vol. 166; ISSN 0165-9936
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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