Open AccessMeasurement of aerosol sulfuric acid: 1. Experimental setup, characterization, and calibration of a novel mass spectrometric system
Author(s) -
Curtius J.,
Arnold F.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2001jd000604
Subject(s) - aerosol , sulfuric acid , mass spectrometry , differential mobility analyzer , chemical ionization , analytical chemistry (journal) , calibration , condensation , sulfur trioxide , chemistry , materials science , ionization , chromatography , meteorology , inorganic chemistry , ion , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
An instrument for the direct in situ measurement of aerosol sulfuric acid in the atmosphere has been developed, characterized and calibrated. The instrument termed Volatile Aerosol Component Analyzer (VACA) utilizes chemical ionization mass spectrometry technique for the detection of sulfuric acid. Prior to the mass spectrometric identification the sample flow is heated, and sulfuric acid is evaporated from the aerosol. The VACA system is characterized as a function of temperature, residence time in the flow reactor, aerosol size, and chemical composition. A unit consisting of an aerosol generator, a differential mobility analyzer, a hygrometer, and a condensation nuclei counter is used to calibrate the VACA instrument.