6533b852fe1ef96bd12aaf02

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Ultrahigh-Resolution Mass Spectrometry in Real Time: Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry of Atmospheric Organic Aerosol

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The accurate and precise mass spectrometric measurement of organic compounds in atmospheric aerosol particles is a challenging task that requires analytical developments and adaptations of existing techniques for the atmospheric application. Here we describe the development and characterization of an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization Orbitrap mass spectrometer (APCI-Orbitrap-MS) for the measurement of organic aerosol in real time. APCI is a well-known ionization technique, featuring minimal fragmentation and matrix dependencies, and allows rapid alternation between the positive and negative ionization mode. As a proof of principle, we report ambient organic aerosol composition in real-time, with alternating ionization, high mass resolution (R = 140 000) and accuracy (<2 ppm). The instrument was calibrated in the negative ion mode using 3-methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid (MBTCA) model aerosol. We obtain a detection limit of 1.3 ng/m3. Based on the performed calibration using MBTCA particles, th...