Mass spectrometric in-situ determination of NO2 in gas mixtures by resonance enhanced multiphoton ionisation

One- and two-colour photoionisation spectra for NO₂ have been investigated using a time of flight mass spectrometer as detector to find the most efficient REMPI process for analytical applications. Two different inlet systems have been employed: a pulsed supersonic jet expansion stage and a flow reactor. Selective and sensitive mass spectrometric determinations of free NO₂ have been possible even in the presence of high concentrations of organic nitrates, HNO₃ and other NO₂ precursors. Employing two-colour (1+1′+1) excitation using a concentration of HNO₃≤5·10¹⁴ molecules/cm³ a detection limit of 5·10¹¹ molecules/cm³ has been found for NO₂ whereas in the absence of HNO₃ a detection limit of 5·10¹⁰ molecules/cm³ is reported.