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Aerosol Analysis via Electrostatic Precipitation-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Siqin He1, Lin Li2, Hongxu Duan2
1†Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.
Analytical Chemistry
|May 30, 2015
Summary
A new electrostatic precipitation-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (EP-ESI-MS) method enables sensitive analysis of aerosol particles. This technique allows for the molecular analysis of even nanogram quantities of collected particles.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Mass Spectrometry
Background:
- Electrospray ionization (ESI) is ideal for analyzing organic species without fragmentation.
- Traditional aerosol mass spectrometry often causes analyte fragmentation due to volatilization and ionization methods.
- Low concentrations of aerosols limit the application of ESI in aerosol analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for applying ESI to submicrometer and nanometer scale aerosol particles.
- To enable sensitive molecular analysis of aerosol particle composition.
- To overcome limitations of existing aerosol mass spectrometry techniques.
Main Methods:
- Utilized unipolar ionization to charge aerosol particles.
- Employed electrostatic precipitation to collect charged particles onto a Tungsten rod.
- Applied liquid flow over the rod for subsequent ESI and mass analysis (EP-ESI-MS).
Main Results:
- Successfully analyzed nanogram quantities of aerosol particles (cesium iodide, levoglucosan, carbon nanoparticles).
- Demonstrated that integrated mass spectrometric signals correlate monotonically with aerosol mass concentration.
- Established a dynamic range of nearly 5 orders of magnitude for EP-ESI-MS.
Conclusions:
- EP-ESI-MS is a viable technique for molecular analysis of aerosol particles.
- The method is suitable for laboratory analysis with particle size classification and ambient PM 2.5 analysis.
- EP-ESI-MS offers a sensitive and broad dynamic range for aerosol characterization.
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