Faculty of Graduate Studies
Graduate Programme in Chemistry
ORAL EXAMINATION PROSPECTUS
A Candidate for the Degree of
Master of Science.
Title of Thesis:
Application of a Quadrupole Ion Trap Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer to the Analysis of Low Concentration Gas Phase Organic Compounds
December 21, 2009 @ 9:00 am – 9:45 am
129 Chemistry Building
York University
Abstract: A quadrupole ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF) has been developed to make use of storage capabilities of the ion trap, and the speed and time resolution of a time-of-flight instrument. The purpose of this work is to improve our understanding of the capabilities of this device, and more specifically demonstrate its abilities in monitoring low concentration reactions of volatile organic compounds. The ion trap operates at full storage mode with DC voltage = 0 on the end cap electrodes and an RF potential on the ring electrode. The sample is carried into the instrument by air and is ionized through electron transfer chemical ionization with O2+ that is generated externally by electron impact. As part of verifying the abilities of the instrument, oxidation of isoprene in a smog chamber was studied and the kinetics of formation for its major products MACR and MVK was quantified.