Development of an Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization Source for VOC Detection with a Miniature High-Pressure Mass Spectrometer

Authors

• Alan M. Rowland, Furman University
• Stephen E. Smith, Furman University
• Ella F. Vandergriff, Furman University
• Arturo Rodriguez, Furman University
• David P. Lewis, Furman University
• Kevin P. Schultze, 908 Devices
• William M. Gilliland Jr., Furman UniversityFollow

ACS Citation

Rowland, A.M.; Smith, S.E.; Vandergriff, E.F.; Rodriguez, A.; Lewis, D.P.; Schultze, K.P.; Gilliland, Jr., W.M. Development of an Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization Source for VOC Detection with a Miniature High-Pressure Mass Spectrometer. Rapid Commun. in Mass Spectrom., 2026, 40 (9), e70050. DOI: 10.1002/rcm.70050

Version of Record

https://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.70050

Abstract

With the goal of sensitive, selective, targeted, and portable VOC quantification, an atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) source was developed for a miniature high pressure mass spectrometer, the MX908. The APPI source consists of a VUV lamp that was encased in a custom 3D-printed apparatus. Using m-xylene as the testing standard, the effects of pressure, axial RF voltage, aperture voltage, and humidity on the instrument were investigated and optimized. Operating at 0.8 Torr with ambient air as the buffer gas, the instrument showed linearity from 25 to 500 ppbV for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m-xylene without preconcentration.

Source Name

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry

Publication Date

2-3-2026

Volume

40

Issue

9

Page(s)

e70050

Document Type

Citation

Citation Type

Article