Real-time ambient air pollution analysis for photocatalytic research

Background

Nowadays, we spend most of our time indoors. Minimizing health risks associated with ambient air pollution is therefore of paramount importance. Typical pollutants can be allergens, toxic or carcinogenic substances, and may include benzene, toluene and formaldehyde among a variety of volatile organic compounds. They are emitted from a variety of sources such as heaters, furniture, paints, and cigarette smoke.

Air quality can be significantly improved by photocatalytic purification, which breaks down pollutants into harmless products such as H2O and CO2. Research in the kinetics of photocatalysis requires highly sensitive equipment that provides continuous on-line measurements and immediate feedback.

Solution

The V&F AirSense mass spectrometer with its ion-molecule reaction (IMR) technology offers high selectivity and sensitivities down to below ppb concentrations. Due to its direct sampling capability, it facilitates continuous, real-time measurements of air contaminants and their degradation products after photocatalytic cleaning. The instrument is state-of-the-art and is ideally suited for research purposes and general on-line ambient air measurement.

V&F Picture Umwelt Echtzeit Photoktalyse

Advantages

The off-line analysis method is unable to provide real-time results, as this requires time-consuming sampling. An IMR-MS circumvents these obstacles through direct sampling and its ability to provide continuous on-line measurement and thus immediate availability of measurement results. V&F instruments facilitate highly sensitive and highly selective measurements, as required for time profiling in kinetic studies where a selection of compounds must be measured simultaneously.

Highlights

  • Real-time measurements - possibility for kinetics studies
  • Direct measurement - no sample preparation
  • Measurement of organic and inorganic contaminants in the sub-ppb range

Reference clients (excerpt)

Reference Tera Environment

Suitable devices