Determination of terpenes in humid ambient air using ultraviolet ion mobility spectrometry

Atmospheric humidity causes the major problem using ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) under ambient conditions. Significant changes of the spectra are decreasing sensitivity as well as selectivity. Therefore, the influence of humidity on the IMS signal was investigated in case of direct introduction of the analyte into the ionisation chamber and in case of pre-separation by help of a multi-capillary column (MCC). For direct analyte introduction, a significant decrease of the total number of ions in the range of 28-42% with increasing relative humidity was found. Simultaneously additional peaks in the spectra were formed, thus complicating the identification of the analytes. In case of pre-separation of the analyte, the spectra do not change with increasing relative humidity, due to the successive appearance of the analyte and the water molecules in the ionisation chamber. Detection limits were found in the range of 5 μg/m³ (about 1 ppbv) for selected terpenes and—with pre-separation—independent on relative humidity of the analyte. Without pre-separation, detection limits are in the same range for dry air as carrier gas but in the range of 200-600 μg/m³ when relative humidity reaches 100%. Thus, MCC-UV ion mobility spectrometry is optimally capable for the detection of trace substances in ambient air (e.g. indoor air quality control, process control, odour detection) without further elaborate treatment of the carrier gas containing the analyte and independent on relative humidity.