Technologies for Direct Particle and Gas-Phase Monitoring

CHARON PTR-TOFMS is a multipurpose online analyzer that offers a wide range of functions.

The CHARON PTR-TOFMS offers the following functions:

• VOC, LVOC, SVOC, and IVOC—Enables real-time and on-line detection of organic compounds, ranging from volatile to low volatile, on a molecular composition level.
• A single instrument for gases and particles—Users can sequentially define the entire range of organic compounds in the particle- and gas-phase using a single instrument.
• Wide linearity range: Users can detect almost all particulate organic compounds in the atmosphere with <100 pg m⁻³ individual concentrations. The upper limit of detection lies in the range of 1 mg m⁻³.
• Selective reagent ionization (SRI): Users can apply the H₃O⁺ mode for a majority of the quantitative results, or switch to NH₄⁺ adduct mode to obtain almost fragmentation-free ionization within a few seconds.
• High-temporal resolution: With IONICON’s innovative Extended Volatility Range (EVR) setup, even the stickiest compounds can be detected in world-class PTR-MS response times.

A New Generation of Quantitative Operation

• Fully automated operation
• The CHARON PTR-TOFMS offers bulk elemental composition ratios (for example, H:C, O:C, and OS_C) and also bulk-average molecular formulas
• Individual tracer compounds can be tracked within single seconds response times
• Excellent correlation with current measurement methods (for example, TOF-AMS)

Image Credit: IONICON Analytik

Extended Volatility Range: World-Leading Response

• Material optimizations of IONICON’s pressure-controlled inlet system as well as TRU-E/N reaction chamber enable real-time detection of LVOCs.
• Such improvements result in world-class PTR-MS e⁻² response times that are similar to and even outpace a large number of the fastest commercially available CIMS methods.

Image Credit: IONICON Analytik

The IONICON PTR-MS is a true, multipurpose monitoring solution based on the most reliable, versatile, and established technology developed for commercial VOC analysis. It comes with IONICON’s patented ion-chemistry quality and TRU-E/N.

Image Credit: IONICON Analytik

The Genuine PTR-MS H₃O⁺ Mode

Almost the entire range of non-refractory sub-µm particulate matter such as nitrate, ammonium, and organics, can be measured.

CHARON real-time data visualization. Image Credit: IONICON Analytik

Selective Reagent Ionization: Introducing the A.NH₄⁺ Mode

• Ultra-pure NH₄⁺ reagent ions can be exclusively produced from N₂ and H₂O; corrosive NH₃ is not required (PCT application submitted).
• SRI enables rapid switching from H₃O⁺ mode to NH₄⁺ mode.
• Oxygenated organic analytes can be detected almost without any fragmentation (A.NH₄⁺) at reduced E/N.

Production of NH₄⁺ reagent ions from N₂ and H₂O. Image Credit: IONICON Analytik

SRI Application Case-Study: Limonene Ozonolysis

• In H₃O⁺ mode, a mass spectrum of a limonene SOA contains monomers (C₇-C₁₀) as well as dimers (C₁₄–C₂₀), in addition to ionic fragments (<C₇, −[H₂O]_n)
• C_8.98H_14.01O_3.29.H⁺ is the bulk-average molecular formula.

Image Credit: IONICON Analytik

• In NH₄⁺ mode, the same limonene SOA results in ~56% ion intensity of fragmentation-free A.NH₄⁺ ions (dimers and monomers only)
• C_8.94H_13.45O_3.84.NH₄⁺ is the bulk-average molecular formula

Image Credit: IONICON Analytik

IONICON offers ultra-sensitive solutions for real-time aerosol and trace gas analysis. It is a pioneer and the world’s top company in proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry (PTR-MS)—a highly sensitive technology for tracking volatile organic compounds (VOCs), created by the company’s founders.

IONICON’s leading PTR-MS trace gas analyzers have contributed to many high-impact publications, and constantly help in gaining deeper insights into numerous science domains. The company has over two decades of expertise in analytical instruments engineering, accounting for robustness, fast response time, very high sensitivity, ultra-low detection limit, and known reliability.

The company produces its air monitoring solutions at its headquarters located in Innsbruck, Austria. Customers can contact IONICON to solve their analytical challenge.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by IONICON Analytik.

For more information on this source, please visit IONICON Analytik.