Ion mobility spectrometry analyzer for detecting peroxides

Abstract

The present invention provides IMS analyzers and methods for detecting, identifying, and characterizing (e.g., measuring the concentration of) peroxides in samples. Methods and systems of the present invention utilize sample inlet conditions and dopant strategies providing an enhancement in selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of peroxide compounds relative to conventional IMS analyzers. Dopants of the present invention include, but are not limited to, substituted aryl compounds or substituted cyclic dienes; wherein the substituted aryl compound or the substituted cyclic diene has at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, a carbonyl group, an aldehyde group, an ester group, a carboxylic acid group and a carbonate ester group. The present IMS analyzers and methods are versatile and enable selective detection of a broad class of peroxides and derivatives thereof, including hydrogen peroxide, hydroperoxides, organic peroxides and derivatives thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60 / 952,669, filed Jul. 30, 2007, 60 / 953,879, filed Aug. 3, 2007, and 60 / 984,804 filed Nov. 2, 2007, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in there entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the disclosure herein.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0002]Recent developments in ion mobility spectrometry have made this technique a widely applicable and powerful analytical tool for detection and characterization of a broad class of molecules. Ion mobility spectrometric analysis provides one of the most universally applicable analysis methods, as it is applicable to almost any species capable of forming an ion in the gas phase. In addition, ion mobility spectrometry methods provide highly selective and sensitive detection (e.g., parts per trillion for some species). Accordingly, these methods are especially attractive for quantitative analysis...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) analyzer and methods for detecting peroxides in samples. The invention uses dopants and a sample introduction interface to minimize interference from background ions and effectively detect and characterize peroxides in samples. The IMS analyzer is versatile and can detect and measure peroxides over a wide concentration range with fast response times. The invention also provides a unique method for accurate and stable calibration of the analyzer. The invention is particularly useful in environments with a significant water component and can detect peroxides in samples using air as a carrier gas or drift gas. The invention also includes an inlet with a hydrophobic membrane for selective peroxide detection and a sample introduction interface for effective sampling and detection of peroxides.

Problems solved by technology

This source of inference may result in false positive readings that degrade overall performance, and is particularly significant for applications involving the identification and detection of analytes present in a sample at low concentrations.

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