PTR-MS
Principle of the Measurement:
1. Ionization of VOCs by proton transfer with hydronium ions (H3O+)
2. Detection using a quadrupole mass spectrometer
Species Measured:
1. Aromatics
2. Biogenic VOCs (isoprene, monoterpenes)
3. Alcohols
4. Ketones
5. Acids
6. Aldehydes
7. Nitriles
8. Peroxy nitrates
9. Dimethyl sulfide
Time response:
1-10 seconds
Detection limit:
10-100 pptv
Manufacturer:
Ionicon Analytik
A more detailed description is given at Wikipedia
Publications:
VOC identification and inter-comparison from laboratory biomass burning using PTR-MS and PIT-MS
C. Warneke, J.M. Roberts, P. Veres, J. Gilman, W.C. Kuster, I. Burling, R. Yokelson and J.A. de Gouw
International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 303, 6-14 (2011).
Measurements of volatile organic compounds in the Earth's atmosphere using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry
J. A. de Gouw, and C. Warneke
Mass Spectrometry Reviews, 26, 223-257 (2007).
Inter-comparison between airborne measurements of methanol, acetonitrile and acetone using two differently configured PTR-MS instruments
J. A. de Gouw, C. Warneke, R. Holzinger, T. Klupfel, and J. Williams
International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 239, 129-137 (2004).
Validation of proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) measurements of gas-phase organic compounds in the atmosphere during the New England Air Quality Study (NEAQS) in 2002
J. A. de Gouw, P. D. Goldan, C. Warneke, W. C. Kuster, J. M. Roberts, M. Marchewka, S. B. Bertman, A. A. P. Pszenny, and W. C. Keene
Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 108, 4682, doi:10.1029/2003JD003863 (2003).
Validation of atmospheric VOC measurements by proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry using a gas-chromatographic preseparation method
C. Warneke, J. A. de Gouw, W. C. Kuster, P. D. Goldan, and R. Fall
Environmental Science & Technology, 37, 2494-2501 (2003).
Sensitivity and specificity of atmospheric trace gas detection by proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry
J. A. de Gouw, C. Warneke, T. Karl, G. Eerdekens, C. van der Veen, and R. Fall
International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 223, 365-382 (2003).
Measurements of benzene and toluene in ambient air using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry: calibration, humidity dependence, and field intercomparison
C. Warneke, C. van der Veen, S. Luxembourg, J. A. de Gouw, and A. Kok
International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 207, 167-182 (2001).