On-Line Chemical Analysis of Individual Alkali-Containing Aerosol Particles by Surface Ionization Combined with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

An aerosol mass spectrometer for measurements of the alkali metal content in individual submicron aerosol particles is presented. The instrument combines surface ionization of individual particles on a hot platinum surface with orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The instrument simultaneously provides the content of different alkali metal elements in single particles with high sensitivity. The instrument is characterized in laboratory experiments, and determination of the alkali metal content is demonstrated for particle diameters of 50–500 nm. The technique is demonstrated in ambient air measurements at an urban background site, and sea spray particles and particles originating from biomass burning are identified based on their content of sodium and potassium. Possible further improvements and applications of the technique are discussed.