Hydrogen Peroxide Detection via Gas-Phase Negative Ion Clustering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting gaseous hydrogen peroxide ions are not highly sensitive due to the lack of production of parent ions and interference from water vapor, making detection difficult.
Innovation Solution
Generating gas-phase negative ions, such as O2− or Cl−, which cluster with hydrogen peroxide molecules to form detectable cluster ions that can be analyzed using mass spectrometry, allowing for sensitive detection of hydrogen peroxide presence and quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mass spectrometry is used to detect gaseous hydrogen peroxide, then detection capability is provided, but detection sensitivity is poor due to lack of parent ion production and water vapor interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cluster ion formation process as an intermediary step between hydrogen peroxide and mass spectrometry detection. Negative ions (such as O2− or Cl−) serve as mediators that cluster with hydrogen peroxide molecules to form stable cluster ions (H2O2·O2− or H2O2·Cl−), which can be detected with high sensitivity by mass spectrometry. This intermediary clustering process overcomes the problem of poor parent ion production and water vapor interference.
2Reliability
If direct ionization of hydrogen peroxide is attempted, then detection is possible, but parent ions decompose readily and are hindered by water vapor signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water vapor interference into a beneficial selective detection mechanism. By using specific negative ions (O2− or Cl−) that form stable cluster ions with hydrogen peroxide but not with water vapor, the method achieves selective detection. The cluster ion formation process effectively filters out water vapor signals while enhancing hydrogen peroxide detection, turning the challenging atmospheric environment into an advantage for selective detection.
3Ease of operation
If simple detection methods are used, then operation is simple, but detection sensitivity is insufficient for trace hydrogen peroxide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from direct parent ion detection to cluster ion detection. By monitoring the mass-to-charge ratio of cluster ions (H2O2·O2− or H2O2·Cl−) instead of parent ions, the method achieves trace detection sensitivity while maintaining operational simplicity. The cluster ion formation occurs automatically in the gas phase, requiring only standard mass spectrometry operation without complex sample preparation or additional equipment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables sensitive and selective detection of hydrogen peroxide, even in the presence of water vapor, by forming stable cluster ions that are not affected by water vapor interference, allowing for trace detection and quantification.
Implementation Method 1
supplying the generated gas-phase negative ion to a reaction space for clustering with a hydrogen peroxide molecule H2O2
Implementation Method 2
introducing the ions inside the clustering reaction space to an analyzing apparatus and detecting at least whether or not a cluster ion of the gas-phase negative ion and the hydrogen peroxide molecule H2O2 is present
Data Source
AI summary
The presence of hydrogen peroxide vapor is detected with high sensitivity. Oxygen molecules in the air are ionized by electrons generated by a discharge plasma, thereby producing an oxygen molecule negative ion O2−. The oxygen molecule negative ion O2− produced is supplied to a space in which a hydrogen peroxide molecule H2O2 is to be detected. If a hydrogen peroxide molecule H2O2 is present, a cluster ion O2−(H2O2) of the oxygen molecule negative ion O2− and hydrogen peroxide molecule H2O2 is produced. The hydrogen peroxide molecule H2O2, therefore, can be detected by mass spectrometry. Other gas-phase negative ions such as chloride ion Cl− can be used besides the oxygen molecule negative ion O2−.