Slide 1

(Gas Chromatography Proton Transfer Reaction Time Of Flight) EGU talk 24.04.2012 1 GC-PTR-TOF Institute of Ionphysics and Applied Physics - University Innsbruck S. Langebner 1 *, C. Hasler 1, R. Schnitzhofer 1, I. Herdlinger-Blatt 1, F. Brilli 2, M. Jocher 3, and A. Hansel 1 1 Institute for Ion Physics and Applied Physics, University of Innsbruck, Austria; 2 IONICON Analytik GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria; 3 Agroscope ART, Federal Research Institute, Zurich, Switzerland; * stephan.langebner@uibk.ac.at ; X

Slide 2

2 I. Introduction & Setup X

Slide 3

3 Starting Point and Challenges increased sensitivity: real time measurements: selectivity: ( SRI ) GC made a decisive contribution to the understanding of the atmospheric composition but can hardly track the dynamics of the atmospheric reactor GC: PTR-TOF: PTR TOF [GRAUS 2010] allows to separate isobaric compounds (high mass resolution) and record whole mass spectra within a fraction of a second (fast duty cycle). Isomeric VOCs, however, still remain largely undistinguishable X Based on the GC-FID-PTR-Quadrupole-MS idea (Davison et al., 2008): Combine the advantage of a GC (separation capability, sample preconcentration) and of an even more advanced PTR-TOF detector (with real time analysis, soft ionization, low LoD, fast duty cycle, isobaric separation). I.Intro II.Results III.Outlook

Slide 4

4 Used GC and PTR-TOF X GERSTEL "Online TDS G" consisting of - a "Thermo Desorption System" (TDS) - and a "Cold Injection System" (CIS), - with TENAX TA our PTR-TOF prototype "HP 5890 Series 2 plus" GC AGILENT column designed for the analysis of volatile priority pollutants N 2 carriergas I.Intro II.Results III.Outlook

Slide 5

5 Combined GC-PTR-TOF setup X direct PTR- TOF measurement GC-PTR- TOF measurement I.Intro II.Results III.Outlook

Slide 6

6 Detailed Measurement Cycle The 60min cycle starts with a 15min direct PTR-TOF measurement while TDS/CIS sampling takes place simultaneously followed by a 45min GC-PTR-TOF run. X I.Intro II.Results III.Outlook

Slide 7

7 II. Results X

Slide 8

8 Fragmentation of outside air Retention times of protonated (PTR with H 3 O + ) compounds with abundance relative to their fragments as indicated by colors. X 101,097amu 83,086amu 510s516s 137,13amu 81,07amu fragmentation Ambient isomeric composition and isobaric information of fragmentation in the whole mass-range. I.Intro II.Results III.Outlook

Slide 9

Comparison of a three day outside air monoterpene measurement with the blue line showing the ambient monoterpene concentration sum measured directly by PTR-TOF during TDS sampling. The colored bars show the separated monoterpene concentrations with the GC-PTR-TOF. 9 Continuous TOF vs. GC comparison I.Intro II.Results III.Outlook X

Slide 10

10 III. Outlook & Summary X

Slide 11

11 So have we achieved our goal? Increased sensitivity: Selectivity: Real time measurements: GC-PTR-TOF: Use micro packed columns for more flow requiring less dilution Use a GERSTEL Modular Accelerated Column Heater (MACH GC) or specialized columns for faster programs X all this over -whole massrange with a high dutycycle, -quantitative, -at ambient concentrations, -selectivity for isomeric separation (sum formulas for fragments) I.Intro II.Results III.Outlook

Slide 12

12 Acknowledgements I want to show my sincere appreciation of the inspiring assistance and motivating cooperation by thanking all the diploma students, PhD students and postdocs of my group with the following quote: Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. [Henry FORD] and Markus JOCHER from ART Zrich Dr. Jens HERBIG from Ionimed Analytic Ges.m.b.H. for the disussions and exchange after my presentations GERSTEL Support This research has received funding from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF): Project Number I655-B16. Frderungsstipendium der Universitt Innsbruck, 2011 This work was thoroughly presented 2011 in a seminar talk in Innsbruck at the Institute of Ionphysics and Applied Physics and presented as a Poster (A51A-0210) at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting publication is in preparation I.Intro II.Results III.Outlook X

Slide 13

13 Questions Thank you for your attention! and Does anyone have any questions for my answers? [Henry KISSINGER] I.Intro II.Results III.Outlook X