Chemical ionization quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electrical discharge ion source for atmospheric trace gas measurement

Philipp G. Eger, Frank Helleis, Gerhard Schuster, Gavin J. Phillips, Jos Lelieveld, John N. Crowley*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

We present a chemical ionization quadrupole mass spectrometer (CI-QMS) with a radio-frequency (RF) discharge ion source through N2=CH3I as a source of primary ions. In addition to the expected detection of PAN, peracetic acid (PAA) and ClNO2 through well-established ion-molecule reactions with I-and its water cluster, the instrument is also sensitive to SO2, HCl and acetic acid (CH3C.O/OH) through additional ion chemistry unique to our ion source. We present ionization schemes for detection of SO2, HCl and acetic acid along with illustrative datasets from three different field campaigns underlining the potential of the CI-QMS with an RF discharge ion source as an alternative to 210Po. The additional sensitivity to SO2 and HCl makes the CI-QMS suitable for investigating the role of sulfur and chlorine chemistry in the polluted marine and coastal boundary layer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1935-1954
Number of pages20
JournalAtmospheric Measurement Techniques
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Mar 2019
Externally publishedYes

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