Ambient Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Organic Aerosols Produced by Pyrolysis (2013)
Undergraduates: Chelsea Tyler, Sandra E. Spencer Gary L. Glish
Faculty Advisor: Gary Glish
Department: Chemistry
Mass spectrometry is commonly used for aerosol analysis because of its speed and sensitivity. Aerosols are often collected off-line on filters or sampled electrostatically for analysis by mass spectrometry. Derivatization and chromatographic separation are required to analyze complex organic aerosol samples. The longer analysis times required for off-line analysis compared to real-time analysis allow secondary reactions to progress to a greater extent. Additionally, more sample handling is required for sample collection, extraction, and derivatization which increases the probability of sample loss and contamination. To facilitate real-time analysis, two ambient ionization techniques, electrospray ionization and low temperature plasma ionization, have been modified for aerosol analysis. Tandem mass spectrometry was coupled to electrospray and low temperature plasma ionization to eliminate the need for chromatographic separation to obtain structural information. Ambient ionization techniques will be used in conjunction with tandem mass spectrometry to analyze aerosols produced from the pyrolysis of natural products.