Multiplexed characterization of complex gas-phase mixtures combining chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy and VUV photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Journal Article · 06 September 2018 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5046085 · OSTI ID:1540250

Fritz, Sean M. ^[1]; Hays, Brian M. ^[2]; Hernandez-Castillo, Alicia O. ^[2]; Abeysekera, Chamara ^[2]; Zwier, Timothy S.  ^[2]

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1. Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States); Univ. of Rennes 1 (France)
2. Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)

We examine details of the design and operation of a single apparatus that combines Chirped-Pulse Fourier Transform Microwave (CP-FTMW) spectroscopy with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOFMS). The supersonic expansion used for cooling samples is interrogated first by passing through the region between two microwave horns capable of broadband excitation and detection in the 2-18 GHz frequency region of the microwave. After passing through this region, the expansion is skimmed to form a molecular beam, before being probed with 118 nm (10.5 eV) single-photon VUV photoionization in a linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The two detection schemes are powerfully complementary to one another. CP-FTMW detects all components with significant permanent dipole moments. Rotational transitions provide high-resolution structural data. VUV TOFMS provides a gentle and general method for ionizing all components of a gas phase mixture with ionization thresholds below 10.5 eV, providing their molecular formulae. The advantages, complementarity, and limitations of the combined methods are highlighted through findings on two gas-phase mixtures made up of (i) three furanic compounds, two of which are structural isomers of one another, and (ii) the effluent from a flash pyrolysis source with o-guaiacol as the precursor.

• Research Organization: Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC); USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: FG02-96ER14656
• OSTI ID: 1540250
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1468880
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 89, Issue 9; ISSN 0034-6748
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English