Grantee Research Project Results

2006 Progress Report: Ion Mobility Analysis of Particulate Matter and Gas Phase Precursors

EPA Grant Number: R832836
Title: Ion Mobility Analysis of Particulate Matter and Gas Phase Precursors
Investigators: Wexler, Anthony S.
Institution: University of California - Davis
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: March 6, 2006 through March 5, 2009 (Extended to March 5, 2011)
Project Period Covered by this Report: March 6, 2006 through March 5, 2007
Project Amount: $372,168
RFA: Continuous Measurement Methods for Particulate Matter Composition (2005) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Particulate Matter , Air Quality and Air Toxics , Air

Objective:

Development of a new cost-effective instrument capable of analyzing the semi-volatile organic and inorganic particulate components and their gas phase precursors.

Progress Summary:

During this one-year period, we continued comprehensive experiments with a TSI supplied 20-channel electrometer using a Delrin ion mobility block. Several chemicals, include pyridine, ethanol alcohol, and sulfur hexafluoride, were investigated with different carrier gases, such as air, nitrogen, and argon. Test results show improved resolution. Greater sensitivity should also be achieved with a 256-channel electrometer sensor board that has been developed. More accurate sheath flow control was used along with a denuder for removing excess moisture and sheath gas contaminants. One paper based on early experiments was published in the International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 258 (2006). A new 256-channel electrometer was manufactured and passed preliminary tests.

A new Delrin ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) block under construction is compatible with this new electrometer array.

Developing a high time resolution, low detection limit ion mobility spectrometry remains the goal of this project. The application of this project is continuous measurement of gas and particle composition with an inexpensive instrument.

Future Activities:

We have three major objectives during the next project period:

Test the new 256-channel electrometer array with a new Delrin ion mobility spectrometer block on common gas phase analytes.
Develop aerosol conditioning equipment so that the cross flow ion mobility spectrometer can analyze particle phase constituents.
Further improve the resolution of the Delrin block ion mobility spectrometer.

Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views
Other project views:	All 5 publications	1 publications in selected types	All 1 journal articles

Publications
Type	Citation	Project	Document Sources
Journal Article	Zhang M, Wexler AS. Cross flow ion mobility spectrometry: theory and initial prototype testing. International Journal of Mass Spectrometry 2006;258(1-3):13-20.	R832836 (2006) R832836 (2007) R832836 (2008)	Full-text: Science Direct Exit Abstract: Science Direct Exit Other: Science Direct PDF Exit

Supplemental Keywords:

Air, Scientific Discipline, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Monitoring, aerosol particles, air sampling, air quality field measurements, chemical composition, chemical detection techniques, monitoring, field monitoring, atmospheric aerosols, particulate matter chemistry, atmospheric measurement

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.