Analytical applications of electron monochromator-mass spectrometry

An electron monochromator (EM) produces an electron beam with a narrow energy distribution that can be utilized with mass spectrometry (MS). The history and development of the EM from an initial research design to a commercial model are reviewed along with MS research applications. An EM incorporated with a mass spectrometer showed significant improvement in sensitivity over traditional methods for negative-ion generation and selectivity for compounds with electrophilic character. Sensitivity of EM-MS has been shown to be 25 fg for hexachlorobenzene in positive-ion mode and 10 fg for nitrobenzene in negative-ion mode. Reports regarding the analysis of chlorinated compounds, explosives, pesticides, phthalates, polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs), antioxidants, and bacterial biomarkers are discussed. Additionally, theoretical methods to predict electron-capture properties are presented.