Mass Spectrometric Detection of Gaseous Hydrogen Peroxide in Ambient Air Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge as an Excitation Source

Real-time detection of gaseous hydrogen peroxide (H 2 0 2 ) in ambient air is an important subject for public safety and security. We have developed a mass spectrometric detection system for gaseous H 2 O 2 using dielectric barrier discharge as the excitation source for metastable rare gas atoms. The O 2 ― ion produced by Penning ionization of ambient air forms a stable cluster ion [H 2 O 2 + O 2 ] ― which is detected by an orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometer. No interference by the moisture in the air was observed.