Compact FTICR Mass Spectrometry for Real Time Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

In this paper, we present a compact Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FTICR-MS) designed for real time analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air or in water. The spectrometer is based on a structured permanent magnet made with NdFeB segments. Chemical ionization is implemented inside the ICR cell. The most widely used reaction is the proton transfer reaction using H3O+ precursor ions, but other ionic precursors can be used to extend the range of species that can be detected. Complex mixtures are studied by switching automatically from one precursor to another. The accuracy obtained on the mass to charge ratio (Δm/z 5 × 10−3), allows a precise identification of the VOCs present and the limit of detection is 200 ppb without accumulation. The time resolution is a few seconds, mainly limited by the time necessary to come back to background pressure after the gas pulses. The real time measurement will be illustrated by the monitoring of VOCs produced during the thermal degradation of a polymer and by an example where three different precursor ions are used alternatively to monitor a gas sample.

Evidence of Reactivity in the Membrane for the Unstable Monochloramine during MIMS Analysis

“…The mass spectrometer is based on a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) analyzer. The coupling and performance of the instrument have been extensively described elsewhere [7,26,27,33,34]. The instrument has two vacuum chambers: the ICR vacuum chamber and the waste chamber.…”

Direct and Real-Time Analysis in a Plasma Reactor Using a Compact FT-ICR MS: Degradation of Acetone in Nitrogen and Byproduct Formation

“…Figure 1 presents the association of the BT4 instrument and the plasma reactor. BT4 was adapted to the reactor through its "sniffer" inlet 34 . No dilution of the gas stream is needed as the instrument is able to detect directly from ppb to high %.…”

Tracking Monochloramine Decomposition in MIMS Analysis

“…MIMS experiments were performed using a 1.5 Tesla BTrap™ Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometer (Alyxan, Juvisy-sur-Orge, France) equipped with an internal ion source. A similar system has been described in detail elsewhere [20,21]. Analysis was performed by chemical ionization using H 2 O as reagent.…”

“…A DOSE IT peristaltic pump from Integra Biosciences bubbled air into the water samples (flow rate, 100 mL min −1 ) to facilitate the volatilization and transfer of the analytes of interest into the MS system. A needle valve was positioned on the inlet line to adapt the headspace vapor flow rate to the pressure value required by the mass spectrometer, which should be around 10 −5 mbar during sample introduction and 10 −8 mbar at detection [21]. A three-way valve transferred the sampling flow intermittently and more accurately to the "Waste" before discarding or to the "ICR chamber" for analysis.…”