Faculty of Graduate Studies
Graduate Programme in Chemistry
ORAL EXAMINATION PROSPECTUS
A Candidate for the Degree of
Master of Science.
Title of Thesis:
Mass Spectrometric Investigation of the OH induced oxidation of Isoprene using O2 as a Chemical Ionization Reagent
December 5, 2011 @ 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
317 Petrie Science and Engineering Bldg.
York University
You are invited to the public lecture at 2:30pm.
Abstract: Isoprene is released in large quantities from the biosphere. It is one of the most abundant hydrocarbons in the atmosphere and has a substantial impact on troposphere oxidants. The focus of my research was to study oxidation reaction of isoprene, in the presence of OH radicals. The main operating system used was an "ion-trap time of flight mass spectrometer". It consisted of a source chamber and a flight tube. The main portion of the source chamber was a quadrupole ion-trap where sample ionization took place by e- transfer chemical ionization, with O2 + ions. The sample fragments were stored in the ion-trap for some time and then ejected simultaneously into the flight tube for mass analysis. I improved conditions for ion-trap efficiency in terms of signal response and trapping of heavier masses. Then calibrated the mass spectrometer and generated quantitative calibration spectra for isoprene and its oxidation products, which helped in separating signal contributions of different reactants and products; during isoprene oxidation reaction. I also determined the concentration of isoprene and its products as a function of time and product yields in percentages, during this reaction.