A coaxially heated membrane introduction mass spectrometry interface for the rapid and sensitive on-line measurement of volatile and semi-volatile organic contaminants in air and water at parts-per-trillion levels

A coaxially heated membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) sampling interface is presented that demonstrates improved on-line performance for the direct measurement of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in air and water samples at parts-per-trillion levels. The device is based on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) capillary hollow fibre membrane (HFM) in a pneumatically assisted "flow-over" configuration that is resistively heated on the membrane interior via a coaxial nichrome wire, establishing a thermal gradient counter to the analyte concentration gradient. This arrangement allows for continuous and/or pulsed heating modes, affording excellent sensitivity for the on-line measurement of SVOCs while retaining sensitivity for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In addition, the signal response time for SVOCs is reduced substantially over conventional "flow-over" MIMS interfaces. Separation and quantitation of analytes are achieved using quadrupole ion trap tandem mass spectrometry.     

固相膜萃取与GC/MS联用测定地下水中痕量半挥发性有机物的野外采样方法研究

C18固相萃取膜适宜处理大体积地下水样现场采样而且易于运输、贮存。利用C18固相膜萃取以及GC／MS联用的方法对地下水中痕量半挥发性有机污染物进行了萃取以及定性、定量分析。优化了固相膜萃取的地下水采样量和浓缩体积。有机氯农药和多环芳烃的平均回收率分别为85％～110．1％、90．3％～115．1％；方法检出限达到10^-9g／L；相对标准偏差均小于15％。本方法用于北京地区地下水中的有机污染物分析，并给出地下水样C18固相膜萃取的GC／MS测定结果。     

On-line flow injection analysis of volatile organic compounds in seawater by membrane introduction mass spectrometry

The combination of flow injection analysis with membrane introduction mass spectrometry for analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in seawater is examined and is compared to measurements made in water. Membrane introduction mass spectrometry is performed using a benchtop ion trap mass spectrometer, and characterization of various aspects of the flow injection and ion trap combination for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (including anthropogenic halocarbons) in seawater is carried out. The analyte responses are shown to be linear over several orders of magnitude (e.g. for methylene chloride), independent of seawater pH (e.g. for chlorobenzene) and independent of matrix effects for the VOCs studied. A comparison of the performance of a microporous (Teflon) membrane with that of an amorphous silicone membrane is made, and the former is shown to provide lower detection limits which are in the parts-per-trillion range (300 ppt for chlorobenzene, 190 ppt for trans-1,2-dichloroethene). The microporous membrane provides faster response times by a factor of four to five for relatively more polar compounds, such as chlorobenzene. An analysis of a seven-component mixture demonstrates the ability of this on-line combination to allow multicomponent analysis of mixtures of some complexity.     

液液萃取-气相色谱-质谱法同时测定水中46种半挥发性有机物

半挥发性有机物主要包括多环芳烃类(PAHs)、邻苯二甲酸酯类(PAEs)、有机氯农药类(OCPs)和硝基苯类(NBs)等化合物,这些物质多具有致癌、致畸、致突变作用,以及内分泌干扰效应.因此,快速准确测定水中半挥发性有机物非常重要,目前国内尚无水中半挥发性有机物的检测标准.该研究从氮吹温度、水样pH值和萃取时间3个方面...     

化工废渣中半挥发性有机有害物的GC/MS分析

 参照美国环保局的８２７０方法，根据我国情况采用内标定量法对某化工废渣进行半挥发性有机物分析，使用内标法可消除系统和进样过程中带来的误差，提高数据的置信度。通过实验，测得废渣中含１０种美国环保局规定的优先监测污染物和１１种含氯化合物，含量在０．４～８０μｇ／ｇ之间。它们对人体有较大危害，必须进行严格处理才能排放。     

Automated high-speed analysis of selected organic compounds in urban air by on-line isotopic dilution cryofocusing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

An automated environmental air monitor has been developed to measure selected organic compounds in urban air. The instrument is based on a cryofocusing-thermal desorption gas chromatographic mass spectrometry technique where the mass spectrometer is a slightly modified residual gas analyzer (RGA). The RGA was chosen as a detector because the whole system must be robust for long periods, with 24-h continuous air monitoring. RCA are extremely simple and seemed the most reliable mass spectrometers for this purpose. Moreover, because they have no physically limited ion source, contamination is considerably reduced, so maintenance intervals are longer. The gas chromatograph is equipped with a computer-controlled six-way sampling valve, with a 100-mL sampling loop and thermal desorption cold trap injector. Environmental air is enriched with an isotopically labeled internal standard in the sampling line. This internal standard is added with a validated, custom-made, permeation tube device. The “on-line” internal standard provides for high quality quantitative data because all variations in instrument sensitivity in cryofocusing or in thermal desorption efficiency are taken into account. High repetition rates (down to 5 min for a full analytical cycle) are obtained with the use of an isothermal gas chromatography program, microbore capillary column, and environmental air sampling during the gas chromatography run.     

Direct insertion membrane probe for selective introduction of organic compounds into a mass spectrometer

A direct insertion membrane probe for the direct determination of organic compounds in aqueous samples has been designed and built. This device allows the transportation of analyte solution over a sheet membrane via which pervaporation transports compounds directly into the heated ion source of a mass spectrometer. This configuration, together with the possibility of temperature control at the solution/membrane interface, decreases response times (typically <10 s) and memory effects and gives very good sensitivity and low detection limits (down to 10 μg l^?1). Optimization of different parameters which affect the performance of the device is reported. High probe temperatures and high flow-rates are generally preferred, giving increased sensitivity. A knowledge of the sample matrix is essential in precise quantitative analysis, because matrix components can change permeation rates and ionization efficiencies. The usefulness of the device in bioreactor monitoring and in environmental analysis is demonstrated.     

Environmental applications of membrane introduction mass spectrometry

The purpose of this review is to highlight the versatility of membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) in environmental applications, summarize the measurements of environmental volatile organic compounds (VOCs) accomplished using MIMS, present developments in the detection of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) and forecast possible future directions of MIMS in environmental applications.     

Improved detection of low vapor pressure compounds in air by serial combination of single-sided membrane introduction with fiber introduction mass spectrometry (SS-MIMS-FIMS)

The use of two methods in tandem, single-sided membrane introduction mass spectrometry (SS-MIMS) and fiber introduction mass spectrometry (FIMS), is presented as a technique for field analysis. The combined SS-MIMS-FIMS technique was employed in both a modified commercial mass spectrometer and a miniature mass spectrometer for the selective preconcentration of the explosive simulant o-nitrotoluene (ONT) and the chemical warfare agent simulant, methyl salicylate (MeS), in air. A home-built FIMS inlet was fabricated to allow introduction of the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber into the mass spectrometer chamber and subsequent desorption of the trapped compounds using resistive heating. The SS-MIMS preconcentration system was also home-built from commercial vacuum parts. Optimization experiments were done separately for each preconcentration system to achieve the best extraction conditions prior to use of the two techniques in combination. Improved limits of detection, in the low ppb range, were observed for the combination compared to FIMS alone, using several SS-MIMS preconcentration cycles. The SS-MIMS-FIMS response for both instruments was found to be linear over the range 50 to 800 ppb. Other parameters studied were absorption time profiles, effects of sample flow rate, desorption temperature, fiber background, memory effects, and membrane fatigue. This simple, sensitive, accurate, robust, selective, and rapid sample preconcentration and introduction technique shows promise for field analysis of low vapor pressure compounds, where analyte concentrations will be extremely low and the compounds are difficult to extract from a matrix like air.     

An electrospray membrane probe for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in water

A new membrane probe incorporating electrospray ionization (ESI) was designed, built and coupled to an ion trap mass spectrometer to detect low levels of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in water. Similar to other membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) systems, the probe contains a capillary polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane to allow for the preferential permeation of small molecules but, in contrast, the interface uses a liquid/membrane/liquid interface rather than liquid/membrane/gas. The ESI source allows the probe to be operated at atmospheric pressure in positive or negative ionization mode and the lack of fragmentation in ESI allows for the simultaneous screening of many analytes with high sensitivity. The interface allows for the addition of additives to both the external and the internal liquid mobile phases to selectively improve permeation and/or the ionization efficiency of various classes of compounds. Characterization of the probe with methanol as the internal mobile phase showed that the signal for aniline optimized at 60 degrees C and an internal flow rate between 2-5 microL/min. The transfer of analyte through the membrane from water to methanol ensures a strong signal and robust electrospray for both positive and negative ion mode which is not typical when spraying pure water. Detection limits for aniline, pyridine and pentachlorophenol, and for the herbicides alachlor, atrazine, butachlor, metolachlor and simazine, were in the ppb to pptr range.     

A new membrane inlet interface of a vacuum ultraviolet lamp ionization miniature mass spectrometer for on-line rapid measurement of volatile organic compounds in air

A novel membrane inlet interface coupled to a single-photon ionization (SPI) miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer has been developed for on-line rapid measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light source for SPI was a commercial krypton discharge lamp with photon energy of 10.6 eV and photon flux of 10(10) photons/s. The experimental results showed that the sensitivity was 5 times as high as obtained with the traditional membrane inlet. The enrichment efficiency could be adjusted in the range of 10 to 20 times for different VOCs when a buffer cell was added to the inlet interface, and the memory effect was effectively eliminated. A detection limit as low as 25 parts-per-billion by volume (ppbv) for benzene has been achieved, with a linear dynamic range of three orders of magnitude. The rise times were 6 s, 10 s and 15 s for benzene, toluene and p-xylene, respectively, and the fall time was only 6 s for all of these compounds. The analytical capacity of this system was demonstrated by the on-line analysis of VOCs in single puff mainstream cigarette smoke, in which more than 50 compounds were detected in 2 s.     

Ultrasonication-assisted spray ionization mass spectrometry for on-line monitoring of organic reactions

A straightforward on-line monitoring of organic reactions by ultrasonication-assisted spray ionization mass spectrometry (UASI MS) is demonstrated in this work.     

Secondary ion mass spectrometry of organic compounds

Sputtering is a very effective means to ionize large organic molecules, even those which are involatile and thermally labile. It can be applied to organic trace detection, identification and structural elucidation, to the analysis of body fluids, and as a detector in HPLC and TLC.     

Development of proton-transfer ion trap-mass spectrometry: on-line detection and identification of volatile organic compounds in air

We present a newly developed instrument that uses proton-transfer ion trap-mass spectrometry (PIT-MS) for on-line trace gas analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The instrument is based on the principle of proton-transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS): VOCs are ionized using PTRs and detected with a mass spectrometer. As opposed to a quadrupole mass filter in a PTR-MS, the PIT-MS instrument uses an IT-MS, which has the following advantages: (1) the ability to acquire a full mass spectrum in the same time as one mass with a quadrupole and (2) extended analytical capabilities of identifying VOCs by performing collision-induced dissociation (CID) and ion molecule reactions in the IT. The instrument described has, at its current status, limits of detection between 0.05 and 0.5 pbbv for 1-min measurements for all tested VOCs. The PIT-MS was tested in an ambient air measurement in the urban area of Boulder, Colorado, and intercompared with PTR-MS. For all measured compounds the degree of correlation between the two measurements was high (r ² > 0.85), except for acetonitrile (CH₃CN), which was close to the limit of detection of the PIT-MS instrument. The two measurements agreed within less than 25%, which was within the combined measurement uncertainties. Automated CID measurements on m/z 59 during the intercomparison were used to determine the contributions of acetone and propanal to the measured signal; both are detected at m/z 59 and thus are indistinguishable in PTR-MS. It was determined that m/z 59 was mainly composed of acetone. An influence of propanal was detected only during a high pollution event. The advantages and future developments of PIT-MS are discussed.     

Quantitative on-line preconcentration-liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of pharmaceutical compounds in water

One of the current environmental issues concerns the presence and fate of pharmaceuticals in water bodies as these compounds may represent a potential environmental problem. The characterization of pharmaceutical contamination requires powerful analytical method able to quantify these pollutants at very low concentration (few ng L⁻¹).     

Determination of oxygenated volatile organic compounds in ambient air using canister collection-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

This research attempts to establish a method to measure 11 kinds of oxygenated volatile organic compound (OVOC) in ambient air by using the canister collection-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method. Since several compounds such as acetone exhibited high blank concentrations due to their laboratory use, stringent quality control was conducted for the VOC-free added water and the VOC-free nitrogen gas. In order to prevent the decline of recovery rates due to lack of sufficient relative humidity, it is necessary to add VOC-free water when pressurizing and diluting the air samples. Thus, all the target compounds in ambient air were obtained from the canisters at high recovery rates without significant contamination. Furthermore, the canister collection-GC/MS method makes it possible to apply simultaneous air monitoring of OVOCs as well as volatile hazardous air pollutants without additional sampling.     

A universal temperature controlled membrane interface for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds

A universal temperature controlled membrane interface (TCMI) has been constructed for hollow-fibre membranes. The membrane temperature is controllable in the range -70 to 250 degrees C using an electric heater and a flow of cooled nitrogen or helium gas. Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds may be detected either by continuous diffusion across the membrane or by in-membrane pre-concentration followed by thermal desorption into the detector. The TCMI interface is demonstrated in combination with mass spectrometry and GC-MS, for the determination of VOCs and SVOCs in aqueous and air samples and for the on-line monitoring of a bioreactor.     

便携式气相色谱-质谱仪测定空气中挥发性有机污染物的准确性

便携式气相色谱-质谱仪(便携式GC-MS)能同时对多组分复杂有机物进行定性定量分析,在环境监测尤其是事故现场应急监测中发挥越来越重要的作用。本文比较了便携式GC-MS与EPATO-14A方法分析测定环境空气中低浓度挥发性有机物(VOCs)的性能,并探讨了利用定量环(loop环)模式测定高浓度VOCs的准确度。结果表明,采用内标标准曲线定量,HAPSITE便携式GC-MS测定空气中VOCs的检出限与EPATO-14A方法相当,准确度和精密度略低,但均符合环境监测分析的要求。利用loop环可对大部分10-6级的高浓度VOCs样品进行较为准确的测定,在突发性环境污染事故中可以得到基本准确的结果。